Francis L. Bodine

Francis L. "Fran" Bodine (born January 10, 1936) is an American Democratic Party politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1994 to 2008, where he represented the 8th legislative district.

Bodine served in the Assembly on the Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee. He served in the Assembly as Deputy Leader from 2006–2007, served as the Assistant Republican Whip from 2002–2006 and was the Assistant Majority Whip during 2000-2001. Bodine was selected in February 1994 by the District Republican Committee to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Assemblyman Robert C. Shinn Jr..

On April 5, 2007, Bodine announced that he was switching from the Republican Party, would serve the balance of his term as a Democrat and would run as a Democrat to fill the Senate seat to be vacated by Martha W. Bark. Bodine's switch followed the Burlington County Republican Party's decision to endorse another candidate to fill Bodine's seat in the Assembly. Bodine, running as a Democrat, was defeated by the Republican candidate, Phil Haines, on November 6, 2007, in his race for the New Jersey State Senate by a margin of 39% to 61%.

Assemblyman Bodine sponsored legislation providing for $500 million bridge repair bond referendum, unification of ports of Pennsylvania and Camden oversight agencies and for authorization and funding of the Delaware Valley light rail project. He served on the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders from 1985–1994 and as its Director in 1988 and 1993. He was a Commissioner of the Delaware River Port Authority from 1983-1990 where he was the chairman of the executive committee and vice chairman, operation and maintenance. He was the Mayor ofMoorestown Township, New Jersey from 1981–1987 and served on its Council from 1977-1978. He served in the United States Army from 1954-1956.

Bodine was born and raised in Moorestown, New Jersey and graduated from Moorestown High School. He received a B.S. degree in 1960 from La Salle University in Marketing. He was a Senior Account Executive for Grinspec Consulting before entering politics.

He currently resides in Moorestown, New Jersey.

Each of the forty districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly. The other representatives from the 8th Legislative District for the 2006-2007 Legislative Session were:

• Senator Martha W. Bark, and
• Assemblyman Larry Chatzidakis