Torricelli, Robert Guy (1951-…), was a member of the United States Senate from 1997 to 2003. Torricelli, a Democrat, represented New Jersey. Prior to entering the Senate, Torricelli served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 14 years.
In July 2002, the Senate Ethics Committee severely admonished Torricelli for having accepted gifts from a campaign contributor during his 1996 election campaign for the Senate. Torricelli denied that he had violated Senate rules. However, as he campaigned to be reelected in the November 2002 elections, polls showed him falling far behind his Republican opponent, Douglas Forrester. In September, Torricelli dropped out of the race. He said he did not want to be the cause of the Democratic Party losing its slim majority in the Senate. Many politicians believed the New Jersey race would be key to deciding whether the Democrats retained control of the Senate.
The Democratic Party called upon former Senator Frank Lautenberg to replace Torricelli on the ballot. In the November election, Lautenberg defeated Forrester. However, the Republicans won control of the Senate in spite of Lautenberg’s victory.
Torricelli was born in Paterson, New Jersey, on Aug. 26, 1951. He earned a bachelor’s degree in 1974 and a law degree in 1977, both from Rutgers University (now Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey). He received a Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard University in 1980. From 1975 to 1977, Torricelli was assistant to New Jersey Governor Brendan T. Byrne. From 1978 to 1981, Torricelli served as counsel to Vice President Walter F. Mondale.
Torricelli was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982. He took office in 1983 and served until 1997. He was elected to the Senate in 1996 and took office in 1997.
In 1997, Torricelli voted against a proposed constitutional amendment that would require a balanced federal budget. The measure failed by one vote. Torricelli also has favored legislation that would prohibit anyone convicted of domestic violence, including spouse or child abuse, from possessing a gun.
