Scott Rumana

Scott Rumana is a former member of the New Jersey General Assembly, representing the 40th Legislative District as a member of the Republican Party. He served in this capacity from January 8, 2008, until his resignation on October 20, 2016, when he was appointed as a judge of the New Jersey Superior Court for Passaic County. Rumana has a background in local government, having held various positions including mayor and councilman in Wayne, New Jersey, as well as serving on the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Early life and career

Scott Rumana was born on July 18, 1964, and is of Assyrian descent, with familial roots tracing back to an Assyrian tailor from Paterson, New Jersey. He grew up in Wayne, where his interest in public service was influenced by his godfather, Robert A. Roe, a former U.S. Congressman. This early exposure to politics led Rumana to intern for Roe during his congressional tenure, further solidifying his commitment to a career in public service.

Rumana pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in management from Hartwick College in 1987. He later attended New York Law School, where he obtained his Juris Doctor degree in June 1991. Following his education, Rumana became an attorney and joined the law firm of Hunziker, Jones and Sweeney. He has maintained his residence in Wayne, where he is married to Laura and they have one son.

Rumana's political career began in local government, where he served on the Wayne Township Council from 1994 to 1996. His tenure on the council was marked by his appointment to the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders in December 1996. He filled the vacancy left by Republican John C. Morley III, who resigned due to a conflict of interest related to his role in the county's garbage collection agency. At the time of Rumana's appointment, the Republican Party held a majority on the Freeholder Board.

In his first attempt to secure a full three-year term on the Freeholder Board in 1997, Rumana finished among the top candidates but ultimately lost his seat in the 2000 election. This loss was attributed to a shift in the political landscape, as the Democratic Party gained control of the board amid a campaign focused on corruption. Following this setback, Rumana successfully returned to public office by defeating the incumbent mayor of Wayne, Judy Orson, in the June 2001 Republican primary. He subsequently won the general election and was re-elected in 2005. In 2006, he was elected to lead the Passaic County Republican Committee, a role he held until 2012. Under his leadership, the Republican Party regained a foothold in the Freeholder Board, breaking a long-standing Democratic majority.

Legislative service

Rumana's legislative career began in earnest in 2007 when he was selected to run for the New Jersey General Assembly. Following the decision of Assemblyman Kevin J. O'Toole to pursue a State Senate seat, Rumana was elected in the primary alongside incumbent David C. Russo as the Republican candidates for the general election in the 40th District. He successfully won re-election to the Assembly for multiple two-year terms alongside Russo.

During his time in the Assembly, Rumana served on several committees, including the Environment and Solid Waste Committee, the Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee, and the Legislative Services Commission. He held various leadership roles, including Assistant Republican Leader from 2008 to 2009 and Deputy Conference Leader/Policy Co-chair from 2010 to 2011. Since 2012, he served as the Republican Whip in the Assembly, a position that involved coordinating party strategy and legislative priorities.

Rumana's legislative actions reflected his party's platform, particularly in opposition to certain housing mandates and support for clean energy initiatives. He notably voted against legislation that sought to legalize same-sex marriage in New Jersey in 2012 and opposed the override of Governor Chris Christie's veto of the same bill in 2013.

In 2011, Rumana faced ethical scrutiny when a former political opponent filed complaints alleging a conflict of interest related to his advocacy for a not-for-profit energy company grant at a Board of Public Utilities meeting. Although the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethics initially dismissed the charges, a Superior Court judge later overturned this dismissal, citing procedural issues. Ultimately, a state appellate court reinstated the dismissal of the ethics charges in 2013, clearing Rumana of the allegations.

Policy focus and district

The 40th Legislative District, which Rumana represented, is one of the forty districts in the New Jersey Legislature. Each district is comprised of one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the General Assembly. During Rumana's tenure, the other representatives from the 40th District included Senator Kevin J. O'Toole and Assemblyman David C. Russo.

Rumana's policy focus during his time in the Assembly included environmental issues, transportation, and local governance. He was particularly vocal in his opposition to the Council on Affordable Housing mandates, advocating for local control over housing development decisions. His legislative priorities also included promoting clean energy initiatives, reflecting a commitment to addressing environmental concerns while balancing the interests of his constituents.

Rumana's legislative service concluded with his resignation in October 2016, when he was appointed as a judge of the New Jersey Superior Court for Passaic County. His transition from the legislative branch to the judiciary marked a significant shift in his career, allowing him to continue his public service in a new capacity. Throughout his political career, Rumana has been recognized for his involvement in local and state governance, contributing to the political landscape of New Jersey.