COVER STORY
Bob and Gail Gordon : New Jersey ’ s Power Couple
The Democrat / Republican combo celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary in 2021 .
By Diane C . Walsh Contributing Editor
Democrat Bob Gordon ’ s first race for state office in New Jersey was a no-holdsbarred competition back in 2003 . If he figured to have any chance , he had to ask everyone he ever knew for donations . That included a fiery , red-headed Republican whom he once romanced , Gail Balph .
To his surprise , Bob received a $ 150 check from Gail with a Post-it attached that read : “ Good Luck – This is the first and last contribution I ’ ll give to a Democrat .”
Bob decided the note justified a call , which became a two-hour conversation that rekindled their relationship .
They made a bet that if he won , she would join him at the swearing in . Bob proved her money was well spent and Gail was there to celebrate when he took the oath as an assemblyman at the historic War Memorial in Trenton . Two years later they were enjoying a champagne toast at their wedding .
This unlikely duo — a Democratic politician who thrives on policy questions and a savvy Republican attorney with killer fundraising skills — are often considered New Jersey ’ s version of famed mixed political marriage , Mary Matalin and James Carville . Their breakfast conversations may boil over into debates , but somehow , they make it work . ( Bob jokingly says he has learned to wear long sleeves to hide the bruises .)
Maybe it helps that they are well matched in talents and smarts . Bob is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Wiliams College with a master ’ s degree in finance and healthcare management from the University of Pennsylvania ’ s Wharton School . He was mayor of his hometown , Fair Lawn , before climbing the political ladder to the State Assembly and onto four terms in the State Senate . Always a policy wonk eager to delve into complex issues , he was tapped by Gov . Murphy to serve as a commissioner on the Board of Public Utilities in 2018 . Bob also sits on the board of NJ Transit .
Gail hails from Pittsburgh and began her career on the press staff of Pennsylvania Gov . Dick Thornburgh . She is a graduate of Carnegie-Mellon University and Duquesne Law School . When she joined the New York PR firm Howard J . Rubenstein Associates in the 80s , she became its youngest senior vice president . She was later hired away by former NFL great Nick
Having a Republican wife has its benefits . “ I developed personal relationships with Republican politicians through Gail ,” Bob said . “ When you go out to dinner with Republican legislators , you come away from it differently . You have a better appreciation for what ’ s behind the position that a moderate Republican takes .”
Buoniconti to be his chief of staff when he was president of US Tobacco . Since moving to New Jersey , she opened her own consulting firm and is affiliated with the Florio law firm . Gail also serves as a member of the board of trustees of Hackensack Meridian Health and as an advisory board member at Provident Bank .
Last month , when they celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary , one of the most powerful Democrats in the state , U . S . Senator Bob Menendez , sent them a beautiful bouquet . Gail was touched , but she thinks the gesture might have originated from the senator ’ s wife , Nadine , a dear friend .
In the Gordon marriage their political worlds often collide . Gail recalled dinner parties where she felt outnumbered amid a table of vociferous Democrats . But Bob said he rarely feels the need to intervene because she is more than capable . Over the years they learned to navigate the choppy political waters very well .
During his tenure in the State Senate , Bob rose to party leadership positions . But when campaign seasons hit , Bob said he would “ stay out ” of races in other parts of the state if he knew Gail was consulting in GOP campaigns .
Having a Republican wife has its benefits , too . “ I developed personal relationships with Republican politicians through Gail ,” Bob said . “ When you go out to dinner with Republican legislators , you come away from it differently . You have a better appreciation for what ’ s behind the position that a moderate Republican takes .”
The Democrat counts Republican Senators Kip Bateman , Steve Oroho , Kevin O ’ Toole and Joe Kyrillos among his friends . “ I believe these friendships made me a more effective legislator ,” Bob said .
Still their unusual position on the political spectrum has caused angst for the Gordons . One episode with Gov . Chris Christie was probably their nadir . In 2013 Christie vowed to unseat Bob in the 38th District Senate race , castigating him as a “ wimp .” It sounded
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Photo : Clear Tunnels
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