In 2000, he unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for U.S. It spawned massive voter resentment and spurred the formation of Hands Across New Jersey, an anti-tax grass roots group that used rolls of toilet paper as its symbol.įlorio was ousted after one term by Republican Christie Whitman, who tapped into voter anger over the tax hike and won the race by about 26,000 votes.īefore becoming governor, Florio served four years in the state Assembly and 15 years in the House of Representatives. Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Marcy Nighswanderįlorio drew sharp criticism in 1990 when he pushed a $2.8 billion tax increase through the state Legislature that extended a sales tax to, among other things, toilet paper. Phil Murphy confirmed Florio died in statements on Monday. His law partner Doug Steinhardt and current Gov. Florio, who narrowly lost his re-election bid in 1993 died Sunday, Sept. Jim Florio, left, prior to making an address on his national service plan at the Lewis Brown Athletic Center on the campus of Rutgers University in Piscataway, N.J., on Monday, March 1, 1993.

FILE - President Bill Clinton talks with New Jersey Gov.

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