Before he passed away last year, Rider University Professor David Rebovich was the most quoted man in New Jersey politics.  The media, including PolitickerNJ.com, depended on Rebovich nearly every day for his thoughtful, independent analysis of New Jersey politics.  His successor as Director of Rider’s Institute of New Jersey Politics, former Democratic operative Ben Dworkin, doesn’t have the same gravitas – and has some conflicts that should prevent his ability to comment on certain issues.

Dr. David Rebovich, a leading political scientist in New Jersey, passed away last October.
The Rider Institute for New Jersey Politics will be renamed in honor of its late founder and managing director, David Rebovich.

Rebovich, a political scientist and prolific media commentator who wrote a column for PolitickerNJ.com, died suddenly of a heart attack in October.

The school also announced that the institute will be directed by veteran Democratic political operative Ben Dworkin, a Ph.D. candidate at Rutgers University. Dworkin has recently worked for several communications firms in New York and New Jersey, and started off his New Jersey political career as an aide and protégé of the late state Sen. Matthew Feldman.

PolitickerNJ.com was deeply saddened by the death of Dr. David Rebovich, a prominent, popular and powerful political science professor at Rider University, and the Director of the Rider University Institute for New Jersey Politics, on October 12 . He was among the very best that New Jersey had to offer and it was our considerable honor to run his weekly column for the last six years. We miss him.

Among the favorites of the New Jersey political community who passed away in 2007: Fort Lee Mayor Jack Alter; former State Senator Byron Baer; former Assemblyman Neil Duffy; former Senate President Wesley Lance; former Burlington County Democratic Chairman George Lee; former State Sen. Alexander Menza, a candidate for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination in 1978; former Bergen County Executive William McDowell; former Plainfield Mayor Albert McWilliams; former Rep. Joseph Minish; former Assemblywoman Angela Perun; Central New Jersey radio personality and former NJSEA spokesman for Bernard Spigner; political strategist Greg Stevens, who served as Chief of Staff to Gov. Thomas Kean former Public Advocate Stanley Van Ness; former Assemblyman Harold Pareti; former State Senator Richard Van Wagner; former Wayne Mayor/Superior Court Judge David Waks; and George Warrington, the former Executive Director of New Jersey Transit and the former President of Amtrak.

Seton Hall Professor Joseph Marbach has joined PolitickerNJ.com as a weekly columnistPolitickerNJ.com is pleased and honored to welcome Professor Joseph Marbach as weekly columnist.  Dr. Marbach will replace the late David Rebovich, who wrote for this web site every week from 2002 until his death last month at the age of 58.  Click here to read Professor Marbach's first column on voter participation.

Dr. Marbach is the Chairman of the Political Science Department at Seton Hall University and an Associate Professor of Political Science.  He is also the Associate Dean for Associate Dean for Academic Administration and Outreach.  He has served on the councils of the American Political Science Association's Section on Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations and the New Jersey Political Science Association.

David Rebovich (1949-2007)Today, New Jersey said goodbye to Dr. David Rebovich, who is remembered as a shrewd, influential political analyst who knew just about everyone in state politics. But more than anything, if today’s funeral is any indication, Rebovich will be remembered as a teacher.

The appearance of Gov. Corzine, who Rebovich criticized in his final column, was testament to just how serious Rebovich’s following was amongst Trenton’s political elite. Corzine had earlier issued an official proclamation saluting Rebovich for his “profound impact on politics” and as “unafraid to criticize aspects of the political system” while maintaining faith in it.

David Rebovich used to buy and read between four and six newspapers daily. On his way to the college each morning, he'd stop in at the Reading Center in Hamilton. John Strycharz remembers...

Funeral services for Dr. Rebovich will be held at 9AM on Wednesday at the Costello Funeral Home in Woodbridge, with buriel at the St. Nicholas Church in Perth Amboy. A viewing will be held on Monday from 7 to 9 p.m., and Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.

“His legacy will include all the students he taught and inspired,” noted Joe Cryan, Chairman of the Democratic State Committee on the loss of David Rebovich. Added to those sentiments were these by Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes: "As long as we take it upon ourselves to ask challenging questions and be forthcoming with our opinions, Dr. Rebovich will remain a powerful presence…”

In David’s memory, his last PoliticsNJ.com entry left both a challenge to political reporters and an opportunity to teach and inspire all of us.

TRENTON - Senator Shirley K. Turner, the Associate Director of Career Services at Rider University, made the following comments today concerning the sudden death of David Rebovich, the Managing Director of Rider's Institute for New Jersey Politics:

PoliticsNJ.com is deeply saddened by the death of Dr. David Rebovich, a prominent, popular and powerful political science professor at Rider University, and the Director of the Rider University Institute for New Jersey Politics.  He was among the very best that New Jersey had to offer and it was our considerable honor to run his weekly column for the last six years.  We will miss him.

DeCROCE MOURNS PASSING OF DR. REBOVICH; SAYS HE HAD A PROFOUND IMPACT ON POLITICAL DEBATE IN NJ

ASSEMBLY GOP LEADER SAYS RENOWN RIDER PROFESSOR AND COMMENTATOR WAS RESPECTED BY MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic, issued the following statement today on the passing of Dr. David P. Rebovich, Ph.D., who was Managing Director of the Rider University Institute for New Jersey Politics and a well-known political commentator:

“Dr. Rebovich had a profound impact on politics and public policy in New Jersey. He spoke passionately about the political environment in our state and how it could be improved. We may not have always seen eye-to-eye, but I always respected his opinions because they were expressed with crystal clarity and only after thoughtful consideration. His is one New Jersey voice that will be sorely missed.” 

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