He served in the United States Army in the Judge Advocate General's Corps, stationed in Asmara, Ethiopia from 1962 to 1965.

[1][2] He was executive assistant to Governor William T. Cahill from 1971 to 1973, when the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission was created.

[1][3] In 1976, Norcross ran as the Republican candidate for United States Senate against the incumbent Harrison A. Williams.

A relative unknown, he used his expertise in campaign financing to attack Williams for what he said were unethical fundraising practices.

His dual role as RNC insider and lobbyist came under scrutiny during the 2004 Republican National Convention, for which Norcross served as chairman of the Committee on Arrangements.