Robert Ernest Andrews (born August 4, 1957) is an American politician. Andrews, a Democrat, is currently serving as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing New Jersey's first congressional district (map).

Biography

Andrews was born in Camden. He attended Bucknell University, graduating in 1979 with a bachelor's degree in political science. Andrews later attended Cornell University Law School, earning his law degree in 1982. For several years, Andrews was involved in legal education as a member of Cornell Law Review's board of editors; he also was an adjunct professor at the Rutgers University School of Law.

From 1983 onward, Andrews had a private law practice; in 1987, he was elected as a member of the Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders. In 1990, Andrews became a Representative, filling the seat of James Florio, who resigned to become the New Jersey governor.

In 1997 and 2001, Andrews unsuccessfully campaigned for the Democratic nomination for Governor of New Jersey. Before the resignation of incumbent Jim McGreevey, Congressman Andrews was reportedly considering a primary challenge against him in 2005.

Andrews is generally considered a moderate with a pro-defense and fiscally conservative platform. Rob Andrews is one of the very few South Jersey Democratic politicians that are independent of party boss George Norcross III. Having high political ambitions even while attending Triton Regional High School in Runnemede, New Jersey, Andrews' independence of the Democratic political machine and poor name recognition outside of South Jersey has hampered his efforts to obtain the Democratic nomination for Governor in 1997 and 2001.

Using Amtrak to commute from his Haddon Heights home while Congress is in session, Andrews does not maintain a residence in Washington. Needless to say, Rob Andrews is an ardent supporter of Amtrak subsidies.

External link

• Official website