Alfred Eastlack Driscoll (October 25, 1902 – March 9, 1975) was an American attorney and Republican Party politician who served as the 43rd governor of New Jersey from 1947 to 1954. As governor, he led the crusade for the 1947 state constitution, which strengthened the executive branch, streamlined the judiciary, and outlawed segregation in the state. He was the first governor to serve consecutive terms in office, as permitted by the new constitution. In his second term, he oversaw the completion and initial expansion of the New Jersey Turnpike and parts of the construction for the Garden State Parkway, the latter of which had its Rartian River Bridge renamed in his honor in 1974, at which he attended.
Prior to his election as governor, Driscoll represented Camden County in the New Jersey Senate from 1939 to 1941. He later served as president of Warner-Lambert (now a part of Pfizer).
Early life and education
Alfred Eastlack Driscoll was born on October 25, 1902, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was the only child of Alfred Robie Driscoll and Mattie Eastlack Driscoll. His mother was active in church, reform, and educational movements and was among the founders of Peddie School in Hightstown, New Jersey. Driscoll's ancestry can be traced to Haddonfield, New Jersey during the American Revolution, and in 1906, his family returned to Haddonfield.
Driscoll graduated from Haddonfield Memorial High School in 1921, where he captained the debate and track teams, was recognized as the most outstanding student and won the Childrey Award for his work ethic.
He attended Williams College, where he again captained the track team, participated in debate, and was one of two four-letter athletes. He graduated from Williams in 1925. He later reflected on his college days, "When I was in college I had a bad case of wanderlust. I went to sea during a couple of summer vacations. I worked as a cook with an expedition to the Canadian Rockies and another time, I cooked for an outfit that went north to the Arctic Circle. I used to justify myself by saying that I was building windows out of which I could look after I had settled down."
Early career
Local politics
After graduating from Harvard, Driscoll returned home to join the firm of Starr, Sumerhill and Lloyd in Camden, New Jersey.
1946 election
In 1946, Driscoll ran for governor with the support of the incumbent, Walter Evans Edge. In the primary, he defeated former governor Harold G. Hoffman. In the general election, Republicans successfully attacked the unpopular federal administration of Harry S. Truman and tied Democratic nominee Lewis G. Hansen to Frank Hague. Driscoll stressed his experience and promised strong, efficient state government, but only addressed constitutional reform in general terms. He defeated Hansen in a landslide with a 221,000 vote majority.
1949 election
In 1949, Driscoll was the first governor eligible to run for re-election to a second term, a provision added by the 1947 constitution. After defeating a surprisingly strong challenge in the Republican primary from Somerset County freeholder Robert L. Adams, Driscoll faced Elmer H. Wene in the general election. Frank Hague, whose power in Jersey City was waning, sought to use the Wene campaign to re-establish a statewide base of support. However, Driscoll received the support of insurgent Democratic reformers in Hudson County and became the first Republican since Warren G. Harding to carry Jersey City.