27th mayor of Jersey City
Kenny was the son of a Jersey City tavern owner who became involved in politics at a young age. He married Margaret M. Smith. Kenny became a protege of legendary Hudson County political boss and mayor, Frank Hague of Jersey City and rose in power during the 1930's and 40's. When Hague retired in 1947, he chose his nephew Frank Hague Eggers to succeed him. This infuriated Kenny who felt he should have been chosen. Kenny, who was known as "the little guy", organized an anti-Hague "Freedom Ticket" and defeated Eggers in the 1949 mayoral election ending Hague's control over the city. As mayor, Kenny proved that he was not the reformer he claimed to be as he continued the patronage tactics employed by Hague. Kenny developed into a powerful Democratic political leader in New Jersey politics. He played a key role in getting Robert Meyner elected governor in 1953. Kenny won re-election as mayor in 1953, but resigned shortly after to be the behind-the-scenes county boss for the next 17 years. This all ended in November of 1970 when Kenny was indicted in a series of Federal extortion and income tax evasion charges. Eleven other political leaders, including the Jersey City mayor and city council president, were also indicted. Kenny was accused of being the mastermind of the conspiracy. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 years. Due to his poor health, his sentence was reduced, most of which he spent in a prison hospital. Kenny was paroled in 1973 and would die in a nursing home a little over two years later.
Kenny was the son of a Jersey City tavern owner who became involved in politics at a young age. He married Margaret M. Smith. Kenny became a protege of legendary Hudson County political boss and mayor, Frank Hague of Jersey City and rose in power during the 1930's and 40's. When Hague retired in 1947, he chose his nephew Frank Hague Eggers to succeed him. This infuriated Kenny who felt he should have been chosen. Kenny, who was known as "the little guy", organized an anti-Hague "Freedom Ticket" and defeated Eggers in the 1949 mayoral election ending Hague's control over the city. As mayor, Kenny proved that he was not the reformer he claimed to be as he continued the patronage tactics employed by Hague. Kenny developed into a powerful Democratic political leader in New Jersey politics. He played a key role in getting Robert Meyner elected governor in 1953. Kenny won re-election as mayor in 1953, but resigned shortly after to be the behind-the-scenes county boss for the next 17 years. This all ended in November of 1970 when Kenny was indicted in a series of Federal extortion and income tax evasion charges. Eleven other political leaders, including the Jersey City mayor and city council president, were also indicted. Kenny was accused of being the mastermind of the conspiracy. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 years. Due to his poor health, his sentence was reduced, most of which he spent in a prison hospital. Kenny was paroled in 1973 and would die in a nursing home a little over two years later.
27th mayor of Jersey City
Kenny was the son of a Jersey City tavern owner who became involved in politics at a young age. He married Margaret M. Smith. Kenny became a protege of legendary Hudson County political boss and mayor, Frank Hague of Jersey City and rose in power during the 1930's and 40's. When Hague retired in 1947, he chose his nephew Frank Hague Eggers to succeed him. This infuriated Kenny who felt he should have been chosen. Kenny, who was known as "the little guy", organized an anti-Hague "Freedom Ticket" and defeated Eggers in the 1949 mayoral election ending Hague's control over the city. As mayor, Kenny proved that he was not the reformer he claimed to be as he continued the patronage tactics employed by Hague. Kenny developed into a powerful Democratic political leader in New Jersey politics. He played a key role in getting Robert Meyner elected governor in 1953. Kenny won re-election as mayor in 1953, but resigned shortly after to be the behind-the-scenes county boss for the next 17 years. This all ended in November of 1970 when Kenny was indicted in a series of Federal extortion and income tax evasion charges. Eleven other political leaders, including the Jersey City mayor and city council president, were also indicted. Kenny was accused of being the mastermind of the conspiracy. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 years. Due to his poor health, his sentence was reduced, most of which he spent in a prison hospital. Kenny was paroled in 1973 and would die in a nursing home a little over two years later.
Kenny was the son of a Jersey City tavern owner who became involved in politics at a young age. He married Margaret M. Smith. Kenny became a protege of legendary Hudson County political boss and mayor, Frank Hague of Jersey City and rose in power during the 1930's and 40's. When Hague retired in 1947, he chose his nephew Frank Hague Eggers to succeed him. This infuriated Kenny who felt he should have been chosen. Kenny, who was known as "the little guy", organized an anti-Hague "Freedom Ticket" and defeated Eggers in the 1949 mayoral election ending Hague's control over the city. As mayor, Kenny proved that he was not the reformer he claimed to be as he continued the patronage tactics employed by Hague. Kenny developed into a powerful Democratic political leader in New Jersey politics. He played a key role in getting Robert Meyner elected governor in 1953. Kenny won re-election as mayor in 1953, but resigned shortly after to be the behind-the-scenes county boss for the next 17 years. This all ended in November of 1970 when Kenny was indicted in a series of Federal extortion and income tax evasion charges. Eleven other political leaders, including the Jersey City mayor and city council president, were also indicted. Kenny was accused of being the mastermind of the conspiracy. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 years. Due to his poor health, his sentence was reduced, most of which he spent in a prison hospital. Kenny was paroled in 1973 and would die in a nursing home a little over two years later.
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