TRENTON, N.J. – Her parents planted deep roots after World War II on Long Beach Island. And for her entire life, that’s where Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove flourished. The youngest of three children – and the only daughter – Gove grew in her love of the Jersey Shore and public service under the care and guidance of not only her father and mother, but mentors who tended her.
Government fascinated Gove from a young age, so much so she went back to her alma mater, Southern Regional High School, to teach government and history classes for more than 30 years. It was one mentor, long-time Long Beach Township mayor and Ocean County freeholder James Mancini (1926-2003) who “must have seen something in me that I didn’t see,” Gove shared in her mini biography, released today. He encouraged her foray into politics. She ascended quickly, becoming township commissioner in 2003, mayor in 2004 assemblywoman of the Ninth District in 2009.
“I’m not working for myself. I’m working for the constituents. Not just the constituents of the Ninth District, but for all of New Jersey. It’s all about them. Not DiAnne Gove,” she said.
Gove’s passionate about helping veterans and senior citizens and their caregivers. She works tirelessly on those Assembly committees to pen and promote legislation that assists those populations. She most recently supported legislation that would extend tax exemptions to disabled veteran shareholders and their surviving spouses.
The Brant Beach native recently made the bittersweet decision to sell her childhood home and downsize to Barnegat, where she lives with her beloved poodle, Andre.