Kathleen Donovan

Kathleen A. Donovan
Born	1952
Occupation	Politician
Years active	1983–2015
Known for	County Executive of Bergen County, New Jersey (2011–2015); Bergen County Clerk (1989–2011); Member of the New Jersey General Assembly (1986–1988); Chairwoman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Kathleen A. Donovan (born 1952) is a U.S. political figure who held the office of County Executive of Bergen County, New Jersey from 2011 until 2015 and remains the most recent Republican to occupy that position. Prior to this, she served as Bergen County Clerk from 1989 through 2011 and was a member of the New Jersey General Assembly between 1986 and 1988.

Early life and education

Donovan completed her studies at Queen of Peace High School, obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Rutgers University-Newark, and earned her Juris Doctor at Cleveland State University College of Law. She currently lives in Rutherford, New Jersey.

Public service

Between 1983 and 1988, Donovan worked part-time as a public defender in Lyndhurst, New Jersey while representing the 36th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1986 to 1988. During her tenure in the Assembly, she held the position of Vice-Chair on the State Regulatory Efficiency Committee and was also a member of the Environmental Quality Committee. Additionally, she led the New Jersey Republican State Committee as Chairwoman from June 1989 until February 1990.

Donovan was first elected County Clerk in 1988 and successfully retained the office through reelections in 1993, 1998, 2003, and 2008. Her responsibilities included overseeing land use documentation, deeds, mortgages, election administration such as ballot creation and absentee voting processes, managing Bergen County’s passport services, and issuing identification cards for veterans. She fulfilled duties as Recorder of Deeds for the county as well.

In 1994, Governor Christine Todd Whitman appointed Donovan to serve on the Board of Commissioners for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, where she was named Chairwoman. In this capacity, she supervised major transportation hubs around New York including LaGuardia Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, the former World Trade Center, and the PATH system. Donovan stepped down from her role as Chairwoman in December 1995 to pursue an unsuccessful congressional campaign but remained a Board member until Governor James McGreevey replaced her in 2002. She was actively serving on the commission during the events of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Appointments to the Port Authority Board represent some of the most influential political designations made by governors from New Jersey or New York.

Bergen County Executive

Donovan made several bids for Bergen County Executive, falling short in Republican primaries in both 2002 and 2006. However, in 2010 she defeated incumbent Democrat Dennis McNerney in the general election by addressing voter concerns related to alleged corruption, increased expenditures, and tax hikes. Donovan earned 52.9% of votes (117,104) compared to McNerney’s 47.1% (104,366).

In the subsequent 2014 election, Donovan lost to Democratic Freeholder James J. Tedesco III amid ongoing discussions about county budget issues, proposals to merge police and sheriff departments, and legal conflicts between government entities. She garnered 45.8% (91,299) while Tedesco received 54.16% (107,958). Following this election cycle, Donovan along with two members of her campaign team were fined a combined total of $2,500 due to six infractions under New Jersey election regulations.

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