Before his service as State Senator, Cardinale spent one term in the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature, the General Assembly, from 1980 to 1981.
Cardinale served in the State Senate as Deputy Majority Leader from 1994 to 2001, as Majority Whip from 1992 to 1993, as Assistant Minority Leader from 1987 to 1989 and as Minority Whip from 1985 to 1986. He serves in the Senate on the Commerce Committee, the Judiciary Committee and the Legislative Oversight Committee.
Tenure
In 2018 Cardinale sponsored e a bill alongside Senators Paul Sarlo, Kristin Corrado, Loretta Weinberg, and Joseph Lagana that would push a special election to the following year if a vacancy for the County Sheriff, Clerk, or Surrogate posts if the vacancy occurs 70 days before election day. In March 2019 Cardinale expressed his opposition to marijuana legalization. He called the social justice argument in favor of legalization "B.S." as well as saying it wouldn't solve the budget problems that those in favor of legalization have argued.
Committee Assignments
Commerce
Judiciary
Campaign for Congress
After Congresswoman Marge Roukema announced her retirement in 2002, she endorsed Cardinale as her successor in the Republican primary. However, Cardinale finished with 25%, a close third behind State Assemblyman Scott Garrett and David C. Russo.
In 2017 Cardinale faced a challenge from Democrat Linda H. Schwager and Libertarian James Tosone. In his second closest election in that district since 1981 he beat Schwager by over 4,000 votes. Cardinale won Bergen, and Passaic Counties by about 4,000 and 2,000 votes respectively.
2013
In a year that was good, electorally, for incumbent State Senate Republicans, Cardinale won re-election by over 16,000 votes, and finishing with more than 60% of the vote in Bergen and Passaic Counties.
2011
2011 re-redistricting put part of Passaic County in the district. Democrats nominated Lorraine M. Waldes. Cardinale easily defeated Waldes.
2007
In his second closest election since 1981 at that point, Cardinale defeated Democratic nominee Joseph Ariyan by 5,000 votes.
2003
During the 2003 general election in New Jersey Democrats gained a majority in the State Senate for the first time since 1992, however Cardinale still won re-election easily.
2001
In 2001, Republicans lost two seats in the State Senate making the partisan makeup a 20–20 split. Republicans lost the Governorship with the retirement of Governor Donald DiFrancesco and the election of James McGreevey. Regardless, Cardinale won re-election in the then-safe Republican 39th District.
1997
In 1997 Incumbent Republican Governor Christine Todd Whitman barley squeaked out a re-election win over State Senator and Woodbridge Township Mayor James McGreevey, Cardinale, who at this point was still serving as Deputy Majority Leader under the leadership of Majority Leader John O. Bennett and Senate President Donald DiFrancesco, cruised to re-election.
1993
Cardinale who was serving as Majority Whip easily beat Democratic nominee Stephen Jaffe.
1991
In the 1991 election, Republicans gained an overwhelming Majority in the State Senate. Cardinale was made Majority Whip following the election.
1987
Cardinale easily won re-election to a third term in 1987.
1983
In what was Cardinale's closest election since 1981 he faced now former State Senator Francis X. Herbert, who lost by a little under 2,000 votes.
1981
Then an Assemblyman, Cardinale ran for State Senate for the first time against incumbent Democratic State Senator Frank Herbert, Cardinale beat him by a wide margin.
New Jersey Assembly
1979
In 1979 Cardinale, again ran for General Assembly this time he won coming in first place.
1977
In 1977 Cardinale ran for General Assembly losing to Incumbent Harold Martin and newcomer Greta Kiernan.
