Richard Joseph LaRossa (born July 1, 1946) is an American Republican Party politician and former television presenter who served two terms in the New Jersey Senate, where he represented the 15th Legislative District from 1992 to 1998.
[1] A member of both the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and Actors' Equity Association, LaRossa had a regular weekend gig as emcee and lead vocalist for an 18-piece swing band called the Lamplighters, billing himself as "the singing Senator".
LaRossa faced Stockman for a second time in 1993, with the incumbent receiving endorsements from the AFL-CIO, locals of the Communications Workers of America and the New Jersey State Patrolmen's Benevolent Association.
In the 1996 New Jersey Republican primary for U.S. Senate, LaRossa came in third with 12%, behind three-term Congressman Dick Zimmer who had 68% of the vote and Passaic County Freeholder Richard DuHaime with 19%.
During these events, LaRossa reaffirmed his stances against the Obama administration's policies and advocated for candidates and voters to be pragmatic regarding holding public servants accountable.
The slate included Jennifer Williams for Republican State Committeeperson, who was later elected to Trenton City Council in the North Ward in 2022.
The campaign portrayed LaRossa as a moderate elder statesman, and the slate claimed their focus was to "form a team of candidates who are committed to winning, building the Republican Party, and reaching out to every voter – no matter where they live".
Their slate carried support for Phil Rizzo in Mercer, who ended up placing second in the primary ahead of well-funded candidate Hirsh Singh and behind winner Jack Ciattarelli.
[citation needed] During the campaign, Stockman, who had sponsored the tax increase, defended it and referred to Republican proposals to repeal it as "snake oil.
"[13] Stockman, the chair of the Senate County and Municipal Government Committee, had also sponsored a bill to reform tax assessment which critics said would create a mass exodus from larger cities, including Trenton.