History of George Norcross in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: June 18, 2024

George E. Norcross III is a highly influential figure in New Jersey politics, particularly in the southern part of the state. Known for his political maneuvering and business acumen, he is a prominent member of the Democratic Party. Norcross's influence extends across various sectors, making him a key player in the region's political landscape.

March 16, 1956: Birth of George E. Norcross III

George E. Norcross III was born on March 16, 1956, at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, New Jersey.

1979: Norcross Begins Career at Conner Strong & Buckelew

George Norcross's career path began in 1979 when he started working at Conner Strong & Buckelew, an insurance, risk management, and employee benefits brokerage and consulting firm.

1989: Norcross Assumes Chairmanship of Camden County Democratic Committee

George Norcross's political career gained momentum in 1989 when he became chairman of the Camden County Democratic Committee, a position he held until 1993.

1989: Norcross Begins Chairmanship of Camden County Democratic Party

George Norcross's tenure as chairman of the Camden County Democratic Party began in 1989, marking a significant period of his political influence.

1990: Norcross Becomes Trustee at Cooper University Health Care System

In 1990, George Norcross began his tenure as a trustee for Cooper University Health Care System, marking the start of his long-standing involvement with the institution.

1993: Norcross Steps Down as Chairman of Camden County Democratic Committee

In 1993, George Norcross concluded his term as chairman of the Camden County Democratic Committee.

1995: Norcross Concludes Chairmanship of Camden County Democratic Party

In 1995, George Norcross stepped down from his role as chairman of the Camden County Democratic Party.

2003: Norcross's Influence Extends to State Legislators and Government Contracts

By 2003, Norcross's influence had expanded to encompass over a dozen state legislators, and he exerted control over government contracts through a pay-to-play system.

2005: Leaked Tapes Reveal Norcross's Political Tactics

Leaked tapes from 2005 exposed Norcross's political strategies, including allegations of offering jobs to secure alliances and using his influence to pressure individuals.

2009: Norcross Instrumental in Stephen Sweeney's Appointment as Senate President

In 2009, Norcross played a pivotal role in orchestrating the removal of Richard Codey as senate president and installing his close friend, Stephen Sweeney.

2011: Journalist Steve Kornacki Highlights Norcross's Political Influence

Journalist Steve Kornacki, in 2011, shed light on Norcross's significant political influence in South Jersey, emphasizing the unwritten rule that aspiring Democratic candidates required his approval.

February 2012: Norcross Advocates for Rowan University and Rutgers-Camden Merger

In February 2012, Norcross publicly voiced his support for a merger between Rowan University and Rutgers-Camden in an op-ed published by the Courier-Post.

October 2013: MD Anderson Cooper Cancer Center Opens

In October 2013, the MD Anderson Cooper Cancer Center, a project facilitated by George Norcross, officially opened its doors.

2013: Opening of MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper

In 2013, George Norcross played a key role in the establishment of the MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, a significant development in healthcare for the region.

November 2014: Cooper and Norcross Receive "Seven Seals" Award

In November 2014, Cooper and Norcross were honored with the "Seven Seals" award by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, recognizing their establishment of the "Veterans VIP Priority Program" following the Veterans Health Administration scandal.

2014: Norcross Named Second Most Powerful Man in New Jersey Business by NJBiz.com

George Norcross's influence in the business world was recognized in 2014 when NJBiz.com named him the second most powerful man in New Jersey business.

September 2015: Norcross Invests in The Camden Waterfront Project

In September 2015, Norcross demonstrated his commitment to the revitalization of Camden by becoming a local investor in The Camden Waterfront, a billion-dollar development project.

2015: Norcross Ranked Among New Jersey's Wealthiest Individuals

In 2015, Norcross's financial success was publicly acknowledged when he was ranked 41st on a list of New Jersey's wealthiest individuals, with an estimated net worth of almost $250 million.

2016: Death of Anne Carol Norcross

In 2016, George Norcross experienced the loss of his mother, Anne Carol Norcross, who passed away at the age of 84.

2016: Federal Investigation into Norcross Concludes with No Charges

In 2016, a federal investigation involving wiretaps targeted Norcross. However, the United States Attorney's Office for New Jersey ultimately cleared him of any wrongdoing, confirming that the investigation was closed without any charges filed.

2016: Norcross Maintains Second Most Powerful Ranking in New Jersey Business

Norcross's standing in the New Jersey business community remained strong in 2016 as he retained his position as the second most powerful figure according to NJBiz.com.

March 2017: Norcross Announces Company Move to Camden Waterfront

In March 2017, Norcross's company announced its relocation to the Camden waterfront as part of a $245 million development, further solidifying his involvement in the city's transformation.

2018: Norcross Makes Top Ten List of Most Powerful in New Jersey Business

Norcross continued to be recognized for his influence in the New Jersey business realm, securing a spot in the top ten list of the most powerful individuals in 2018, as per NJBiz.com.

2019: Norcross Remains on NJBiz.com's Top Ten List of Most Powerful in Business

In 2019, NJBiz.com continued to acknowledge Norcross's impact on New Jersey business, including him in their top ten list of the most powerful individuals.

2019: Formica Bakery Files for Bankruptcy

In 2019, the Formica Bakery, known for its "Atlantic City Original" bread, faced financial difficulties and filed for bankruptcy.

2020: Norcross's Business Influence Earns Him Continued Recognition

Norcross's significant presence in the New Jersey business landscape was highlighted once again in 2020 when NJBiz.com featured him on their list of the most powerful individuals.

2021: Norcross Changes Voter Registration to Florida

In 2021, George Norcross made a notable change in his political affiliation by switching his voter registration to Florida.

2021: Norcross Maintains Position on NJBiz.com's Power List

Norcross's enduring impact on New Jersey's business sector was evident in 2021 as he secured a spot on NJBiz.com's list of the most powerful figures.

2021: Stephen Sweeney's Re-Election Defeat Signals Decline in Norcross's Influence

Stephen Sweeney, a close ally of Norcross, faced defeat in his 2021 re-election bid for the New Jersey Senate, an event that political observers interpreted as a sign of Norcross's diminishing political clout.

January 2022: Norcross Family Acquires Formica Bakery

The Norcross family made a significant investment in January 2022 by becoming majority partners in the Formica Bakery, which had previously filed for bankruptcy in 2019.

January 2023: Formica Freitag Bakery Merges with Valitni's Italian Bakery

In January 2023, Formica Freitag Bakery, under the Norcross family's ownership, merged with Valitni's Italian Bakery of Pleasantville.

2023: Norcross Announces Reduced Involvement in Politics

In 2023, Norcross revealed his decision to scale back his involvement in politics, attributing it to the need for new leadership and acknowledging the impact of Sweeney's loss.

2023: Norcross Reported as Florida Resident

In 2023, reports surfaced indicating that Norcross had established residency in Florida, where he was said to spend a significant portion of his time.

June 2024: Norcross Indicted on Racketeering Charges

In June 2024, George Norcross faced a significant legal challenge when he was indicted on 13 charges of racketeering and criminal enterprise by State Attorney General Matthew Platkin.

June 17, 2024: Norcross and Associates Indicted on Racketeering Charges

On June 17, 2024, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin unveiled a thirteen-count racketeering indictment against Norcross and five other individuals, including his brother, Philip. The charges centered around allegations of conspiracy, illegal property acquisition, misuse of government funds, and attempts to influence public officials.