On February 8, 2019, Bucco was diagnosed with throat cancer and was admitted to the hospital.[4] On September 16, 2019, Bucco died of a heart attack at age 81.[5]
Morris County politics
Bucco served in various local offices before entering the State Legislature. He served on the town of Boonton's Board of Aldermen from 1978 through 1983, served as the town's mayor from 1984 through 1989, and was elected to the Morris CountyBoard of Chosen Freeholders from 1989 through 1992. Bucco also served on the steering committee of the Morris County Economic Development Commission.[6]
New Jersey General Assembly
In the 2009 legislative elections, Anthony was elected to the seat in the General Assembly previously held by his father.[7]
Before entering the Senate, Bucco served in the General Assembly, the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature, from 1995 to 1998, where he served as Assistant Majority Whip from 1996 to 1998.[6] Bucco was first selected by district Republican committee and sworn in January 1995, to fill the remainder of the unexpired term of Rodney P. Frelinghuysen, who resigned his Assembly seat following his election to Congress. During the unexpired term, he served alongside Arthur R. Albohn in the 25th district. In his first Republican primary, Bucco and running mate Michael Patrick Carroll defeated his successor in the Assembly Rick Merkt and then-Freeholder Chris Christie along with two other candidates.[8] Bucco and Carroll were easily elected in the general election and served one full two-year term.
Democrat Rupande Mehta is challenging Bucco for the June 8, 2021 senate primary. Mehta also ran against Bucco in the 2020 general election.[10]
Tenure
In the Senate Bucco has served as Assistant Majority Leader from 2000 to 2002, Majority Leader from 2002 to 2004, Leader Assistant Minority Leader from 2006 to 2008, Deputy Minority Leader from 2008 to 2010, Republican Budget Officer from 2010 to 2019; he served as Chair of the Republican Conference at the time of his death.
^Garber, Phil. "25th District Assembly and senate Independents clash with Republican incumbents", New Jersey Hills, October 25, 2013. Accessed November 13, 2013. "In the Senate race, Independent Maureen Castriotta of the Landing section of Roxbury Township is vying for the four-year seat of Republican Sen. Anthony “Tony” Bucco of Boonton Township.... They are competing against incumbents Michael Patrick Carroll of Morris Plains and Anthony M. Bucco of Boonton Township for the two two-year terms at stake."
^"Anthony Bucco, Roxbury's State Senator, Has Throat Cancer", TAP into Roxbury, February 8, 2019. Accessed September 16, 2019. "State Sen. Anthony R. Bucco, (R-25th Dist.), who represents Roxbury, has been diagnosed with a curable form of throat cancer, it was announced today. Mike DuHaime, spokesman for the Bucco family, said the senator was diagnosed to have squamous carcinoma."
^Ragonese, Lawrence. "A new Trenton team: The Buccos", The Star-Ledger, November 7, 2009. Accessed July 19, 2011. "Father and son. Senator and assemblyman-elect. Anthony Bucco and Anthony Bucco Jr.The Buccos will serve together in the Legislature after the younger Bucco takes the oath of office Jan. 12, the result of his win Tuesday in Morris County’s 25th District. The Republican duo will join the small club of parent-child legislators who have served together in New Jersey."
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