Marge Roukema

Margaret "Marge" Ellen Roukema (née Scafati; September 19, 1929 – November 12, 2014) was an American Republican Party politician who represented New Jersey in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1981 to 2003.

Roukema was born Margaret Ellen Scafati on September 19, 1929, in Newark, New Jersey, and raised in West Orange, New Jersey, the daughter of Claude and Margaret Scafati. She graduated from West Orange High School in 1947. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and political science from Montclair State College in 1951, and she also did graduate work at Montclair State. In addition, she took graduate courses in city and regional planning at Rutgers University.

Roukema began her career as a high school American history teacher in Ridgewood, New Jersey. She served as a member of the board of education of the Ridgewood Public Schools from 1970 to 1973.

In 1978, Roukema ran for Congress against incumbent Democratic Congressman Andrew Maguire, losing by approximately 9,000 votes. In 1980, Roukema challenged Maguire again and won; her campaign was helped by successful Republican presidential candidate Ronald Reagan's presence at the top of the ticket. She was re-elected 11 times without facing serious Democratic opposition.

Roukema was a moderate Republican known for her staunch support for the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). During her congressional career, she represented New Jersey's 7th and 5th congressional districts, respectively. In 1992, she faced a primary challenge from three other Republicans and prevailed. In 1998, State Assemblyman Scott Garrett, a considerably more conservative Republican, challenged her in the Republican primary. Roukema managed to fight him off, and did so again in 2000.

With the prospect of a third consecutive primary challenge from Garrett in 2002 (in a district made even more conservative on paper by redistricting), as well as facing the loss of her subcommittee chairs due to caucus term limits, the Ridgewood Republican opted not to seek a 12th term and retired from politics. She endorsed State Senator Gerald Cardinale in the ensuing primary, which he lost to Garrett. Despite Roukema's refusal to endorse him, Garrett was elected as her successor. She left office in 2003. At the time of her retirement, Roukema was the longest-tenured female member of Congress.

Roukema was married to psychiatrist Richard W. Roukema. The Roukemas had three children: Greg, Todd, and Meg. Todd Roukema died of leukemia in October 1976.

On November 12, 2014, Roukema died in Wyckoff, New Jersey, at the age of 85. She had Alzheimer's disease.