Jim Whelan

Who is Jim Whelan?

Jim Whelan is an American Democratic Party politician, who serves in the New Jersey State Senate where he represents the 2nd legislative district, having taken office on January 8, 2008.

Whelan was born in Philadelphia and attended Temple University where he became a nationally-ranked distance swimmer before a broken leg in his senior year cut short his career. His achievements, however, ultimately led to his induction in the Temple University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995. He received a M.Ed. from Temple University.

In 1977, Whelan took a job in the Atlantic City School District. Four years later, he made his first foray into politics, making an unsuccessful run for the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1981. The following year, he won election to the Atlantic City Council, in 1982, and was re-elected in 1986. He won the mayor's office in a landslide in 1990. Whelan served three terms as Mayor of Atlantic City.

Whelan was elected president of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors.

Following a defeat at the hands of Lorenzo T. Langford in 2001, Whelan returned to teaching. He also served on the board of the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority.