Democrat Jim Whelan, 59, is a veteran teacher and a former mayor of Atlantic City.
He was elected to represent the 2nd Legislative District in 2005, which includes Absecon, Atlantic City, Brigantine, Corbin City, Egg Harbor, Egg Harbor Township, Estell Manor, Galloway, Hamilton, Linwood, Longport, Margate, Mullica, Northfield, Pleasantville, Port Republic, Ventnor, and Weymouth.
Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Whelan attended Temple University, where he became a nationally ranked distance swimmer. His athletic achievements ultimately led to his induction in the Temple University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995.
After graduating college, Mr. Whelan taught swimming at an Atlantic City elementary school. He spent summers working as an ocean lifeguard. He has taught in Atlantic City schools for the past 28 years.
Mr. Whelan served as an Atlantic City Councilman from 1982 to 1990, and as Mayor from 1990 to 2001. While serving as Mayor, Atlantic City and the region realized significant growth. He brought stability to a government wracked by waste, corruption and incompetence. He reorganized city departments to help clean up the streets, razed hazardous buildings, and lowered the crime rate -- all while reducing the number of employees on the city payroll.
Under his stewardship, Atlantic City attracted more than $4.5 billion in new business starts and expansions that created thousands of new jobs.
Mr. Whelan’s tireless efforts to attract families back to the resort led to the resurgence of the city's neighborhoods, the redevelopment of the Northeast Inlet, and the construction of new schools and hundreds of new housing units. His pursuit of non-casino attractions brought forth the Sandcastle Stadium, home of the Atlantic City Surf baseball team.
In 2001, Mr. Whelan served as president of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors.
Mr. Whelan has been married for 30 years. His wife, Kathy, is a former elementary school teacher and an accomplished equestrienne. Their son, Richard, is an Atlantic City police sergeant currently serving on the city’s bomb squad.
