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'''Jon Corzine''' (born January 1, 1947)<Ref>http://www.state.nj.us/governor/about/</Ref> is the [[Democratic]] governor of the state of [[New Jersey]]. He graduated from the University of Illinois (1969) and earned an MBA at the University of Chicago in 1973. Corzine worked in banking and in 1994 become Co-Chairman and CEO of [[Goldman Sachs]], alongside [[Henry Paulson]]. He retired in 1999 and entered politics.

'''Jon Corzine''' (born January 1, 1947)<Ref>http://www.state.nj.us/governor/about/</Ref> is the [[Democratic]] governor of the state of [[New Jersey]]. He graduated from the University of Illinois (1969) and earned an MBA at the [[University of Chicago]] in 1973. Corzine worked in banking and in 1994 become Co-Chairman and CEO of [[Goldman Sachs]], alongside [[Henry Paulson]]. He retired in 1999 and entered politics.

==United States Senate==

==United States Senate==

In 2000, Jon Corzine was elected as the junior United States Senator from New Jersey, defeating Republican Congressman Robert Franks by 50% to 47%, after spending more money on a senatorial race then any other candidate in New Jersey history. With a net worth  of over $71,000,000 he was the fourth richest member of the U.S. Senate. <ref>http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/06/13/senators.finances/</ref> He was a member of the Committees on Banking, Intelligence, the Budget, and Energy and Natural Resources. Corzine sponsored 127 bills while in office, however 120 never made it out of committee and only one was successfully enacted. <ref>http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=300028</ref> In 2002, Corzine voted against authorizing [[President]] [[George W. Bush]] to go to war against [[Iraq]]. He chaired the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee from 2003-2005, during which Democrats lost 4 Senate seats.  

In 2000, Jon Corzine was elected as the junior United States Senator from New Jersey, defeating Republican Congressman Robert Franks by 50% to 47%, after spending more money on a senatorial race then any other candidate in New Jersey history. With a net worth  of over $71,000,000 he was the fourth richest member of the U.S. Senate. <ref>http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/06/13/senators.finances/</ref> He was a member of the Committees on Banking, Intelligence, the Budget, and Energy and Natural Resources. Corzine sponsored 127 bills while in office, however 120 never made it out of committee and only one was successfully enacted. <ref>http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=300028</ref> In 2002, Corzine voted against authorizing [[President]] [[George W. Bush]] to go to war against [[Iraq]]. He chaired the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee from 2003-2005, during which Democrats lost 4 Senate seats.  

==2005 Gubernatorial Campaign==

==2005 Gubernatorial Campaign==

In 2005 Senator Corzine was a candidate for the Governorship of New Jersey. It was the most expensive gubernatorial election in New Jersey history. The combined expenditures for Corzine's senatorial and gubernatorial runs exceeded $100 million. He mostly tried to link his Republican opponent [[Doug Forrester]] with the Bush administration. Corzine's campaign was successful, winning 54% of the popular vote and 13 of New Jersey's 21 counties.

In 2005 Senator Corzine was a candidate for the Governorship of New Jersey. It was the most expensive gubernatorial election in New Jersey history. The combined expenditures for Corzine's senatorial and gubernatorial runs exceeded $100 million. He mostly tried to link his Republican opponent [[Doug Forrester]] with the Bush administration. Corzine's campaign was successful, winning 54% of the popular vote and 13 of New Jersey's 21 counties.

==Governorship==   

==Governorship==   

Corzine was sworn in as the 54th Governor of New Jersey on January 17, 2006.

Corzine was sworn in as the 54th Governor of New Jersey on January 17, 2006.

===Government Shutdown===

===Government Shutdown===

On July 1, 2006, Governor Corzine was forced to shutdown the state government after clashing with fellow Democrats in the the state Assembly to pass a sales tax increase, resulting in the Assembly being unable to pass a new [[balanced budget]]. As a result road construction projects were halted, the New Jersey Lottery, Motor Vehicle Commission and the New Jersey Department of [[Education]] was shut down. Gambling at Atlantic City casinos were suspended and 45,000 state employees were in indefinitely. <ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/01/AR2006070100864.html</ref>   

On July 1, 2006, Governor Corzine was forced to shutdown the state government after clashing with fellow Democrats in the the state Assembly to pass a sales tax increase, resulting in the Assembly being unable to pass a new [[balanced budget]]. As a result road construction projects were halted, the New Jersey Lottery, Motor Vehicle Commission and the New Jersey Department of [[Education]] was shut down. Gambling at Atlantic City casinos were suspended and 45,000 state employees were in indefinitely. <ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/01/AR2006070100864.html</ref>   

===Automobile Accident===

===Automobile Accident===

On the way to an unimportant publicity meeting on April 13, 2007, Corzine ordered his police driver car to go at high speeds, and refused to wear a seat belt. In the resulting crash the air bag did not work and Corzine was inches from death. He suffered multiple injuries especially to his thigh bone. He paid a fine and after intensive hospital care and rehabilitation returned to work.

On the way to an unimportant publicity meeting on April 13, 2007, Corzine ordered his police driver car to go at high speeds, and refused to wear a seat belt. In the resulting crash the air bag did not work and Corzine was inches from death. He suffered multiple injuries especially to his thigh bone. He paid a fine and after intensive hospital care and rehabilitation returned to work.

===Economic Record===

===Economic Record===

[[Image:Corzine_state_of_the_state.JPG|thumb|right|150px|Gov. Corzine delivering his 2009 State of the State address]] Under Governor Corzine New Jersey was ranked as the worst business climate of any state by the Tax Foundation <ref>http://www.taxfoundation.org/files/bp58-es.pdf</ref>, and overall has the highest tax burden in the nation. Since Corzine took office, property taxes have risen 17%, twice the rate of [[inflation]]. <ref>Department

[[Image:Corzine_state_of_the_state.JPG|thumb|right|150px|Gov. Corzine delivering his 2009 State of the State address]] Under Governor Corzine New Jersey was ranked as the worst business climate of any state by the Tax Foundation <ref>http://www.taxfoundation.org/files/bp58-es.pdf</ref>, and overall has the highest tax burden in the nation. Since Corzine took office, property taxes have risen 17%, twice the rate of [[inflation]]. <ref>Department

of Community Affairs, Division of Local Government Services Website, www.state.nj.us/dca/lgs/, Accessed

of Community Affairs, Division of Local Government Services Website, www.state.nj.us/dca/lgs/, Accessed

== 2009 Reelection Campaign==

== 2009 Reelection Campaign==

Corzine has announced his candidacy for reelection in 2009, however trails his Republican opponent [[Christopher Christie]] in public opinion polls. <ref>http://race42008.com/2009/03/13/poll-watch-new-jersey-more-good-news-edition/</ref> <ref>http://www.politickernj.com/wallye/31284/gop-poll-has-christie-15-points</ref> <ref>http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/state/new_jersey/20090714_ap_pollchristiewidensleadinnjgovsrace.html</ref> Corzine's record on property taxes and the economy are the number one issues during the campaign. <ref>http://www.politickernj.com/alan-steinberg/30521/governors-race-eight-key-quinnipiac-findings</ref>

Corzine has announced his candidacy for reelection in 2009, however trails his Republican opponent [[Christopher Christie]] in public opinion polls. <ref>http://race42008.com/2009/03/13/poll-watch-new-jersey-more-good-news-edition/</ref> <ref>http://www.politickernj.com/wallye/31284/gop-poll-has-christie-15-points</ref> <ref>http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/state/new_jersey/20090714_ap_pollchristiewidensleadinnjgovsrace.html</ref> Corzine's record on property taxes and the economy are the number one issues during the campaign. <ref>http://www.politickernj.com/alan-steinberg/30521/governors-race-eight-key-quinnipiac-findings</ref>