Longtime NJ State Senator To Retire: Kevin O'Toole, Former Cedar Grove Mayor

Cedar Grove, NJ – Longtime New Jersey state legislator Kevin O’Toole (R-40) has announced that he will not be running for re-election in 2017.

According to an emailed statement, O’Toole plans to finish his current term and retire from the NJ Legislature in January of 2018, culminating a 22-year-career that includes 11 years in the General Assembly and 11 years in the State Senate.

O’Toole represents constituents in Bergen, Essex, Morris, and Passaic Counties that include the following municipalities: Allendale, Cedar Grove, Franklin Lakes, Ho-Ho-Kus, Little Falls, Midland Park, Pequannock, Pompton Lakes, Ridgewood, Riverdale, Totowa, Waldwick, Wayne, Woodland Park and Wyckoff.

O’Toole is a former, three-term mayor in his hometown of Cedar Grove. He also served as chairman of the Essex County Republican Committee for 12 years before stepping down in 2011.

“It has been an incredible honor and privilege to serve the people of New Jersey,” O’Toole said. “I can never repay the debt of gratitude I owe the voters and constituents for having entrusted me to represent them… It’s now time for me to move on and experience new and exciting opportunities that life has to offer… I believe it is time to create opportunities for the next – younger – generation of dedicated public servants to have their chance to make a difference.”

According to a release, O’Toole is managing partner of his law firm, O’Toole Fernandez Weiner Van Lieu, which operates in four states: New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and California. He recently received the award for “Top Outside Counsel” from the Council on Litigation Management.

“I am most grateful to my beautiful wife, Bethany, and two amazing children, Kevin Jr., and Ryan Marie, for their unwavering love, support and understanding throughout my career,” O’Toole stated. “I first became an elected official as a single man, now I am a proud husband and father and as I begin the next chapter of my life, I look forward to spending much more time with them.”

File photo: Kevin O’Toole participates in an Ice Bucket Challenge fundraiser.