Marge Roukema (born September 19, 1929 in Newark, New Jersey), also known as Marge Ro, represented New Jersey in the U.S. House of Representatives for twenty-two years as a Republican. A graduate of Montclair State College, Roukema's first career was as a teacher in the Ridgewood, New Jersey public schools. She began her political career in the local board of education. In 1980 she challenged three-term, incumbent 7th District congressman Democrat, Andrew Maguire, and won, one of several Republicans swept into office by Reagan's coattails. She was reelected 10 times with almost no opposition. After decennial redistricting, Roukema successfully ran for office in 1983 in the 5th district.
Roukema was a moderate Republican, as was the case with most Republicans from the Northeast. She faced little opposition until 1998, when State Assemblyman Scott Garrett, a considerably more conservative Republican, challenged her in the primary. Roukema managed to fight him off, and did so again in 2000. Facing yet another challenge from Garrett in 2002, she opted not to seek a 12th term in 2002 and retired from politics. She is a honorary board member of the National Organization of Italian American Women.
