Senator Joseph F. Vitale represents New Jersey's 19th Legislative District in the State Senate, where he has served since 1998. Born on November 10, 1954, he resides in Woodbridge with his wife, Robin, and daughter, Alexandra. He previously served as interim Mayor of Woodbridge Township in 2006 and is president of the family-owned Vitale Sign Corporation, founded in 1950. Vitale is renowned for his leadership on health care policy, sponsoring over 40 bills signed into law, including NJ FamilyCare for low-income families, needle exchange programs, prohibitions on gun ownership for domestic violence convicts, and protections against mandatory overtime in health facilities. Notable achievements include the New Jersey Homeless Youth Act, laws improving adoptee access to medical history, anti-discrimination measures based on gender identity, and efforts addressing the opioid epidemic and medical malpractice insurance.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Attended public schools in Woodbridge and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School.
• Political Experience: Elected to the Senate in 1997 to succeed Jim McGreevey; served as Deputy Majority Leader . Currently Chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee and Vice Chairman of the Senate Economic Growth and Labor Committees. Founding member of Middlesex County Habitat for Humanity; serves on the Governor’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, Mandated Health Benefits Commission, and Foster and Adoptive Family Services Advisory Committee.