Tony G., Fabled Manager of Judicial Campaigns, Dies
BY BUDDY NEVINS
Anthony “Tony G Gargiulo, the once invincible campaign manager of judicial candidates known as “the judgemaker, has died. He was 82.
From the 1980s to the early part of this decade, Gargiulo managed the winning campaigns of more than two dozen judges.
The Broward bench is filled with judges he helped get elected, including Chief Judge Victor Tobin and Circuit Judges Marcia Beach, John Bowman, Renee Goldenberg, Michael Orlando and David Krathen and County Judge Lou Schiff.
Schiff, who remained close to Gargiulo, announced his death this morning. The judge said he had been preparing to throw Gargiulo a birthday lunch next month with another former Tony G client, County Court Judge Lisa Trachman.
Gargiulo only handled judicial races, usually for a minimum of $25,000 up front.
A 2002 Sun-Sentinel article gave his win-loss record in judicial races of 9 out of 10 in 14 years. In recent years, he experienced more losses as age caught up with him and demographics changed.
Gargiulo, a former New York City police officer, got his start in Broward politics after retiring from the force and moving to Lauderdale Lakes. In the mid-1970s he got bored with retirement and started working for Sheriff Edward Stack.
He immediately became part of Stack’s fabled political machine.
Stack was the first politician to recognize the political power of the growing condominiums which were filling with retirees like Gargiulo.
With his New York City background, Gargiulo became a point man for Stack in the condos.
Garguilo often was Stack’s driver. That role enabled Garguilo to meet hundreds of movers and shakers around the county.
After Stack left office, Garguilo used the contacts he made working for the sheriff to build his political consulting business.
September 9th, 2008 at 9:33 am
RIP Tony G — many have tried (and will continue to try) to copy you, but you were one of a kind.
September 9th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Tony was the best of the best – RIP
September 9th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Tony, I’m gonna miss ya. You were the best. God Bless.
September 9th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
RIP Tony G…. may the Gods send you to the furnaces of hell for all eternity.
September 10th, 2008 at 7:22 am
Tony was the very best political consultant for Judges that you could vote for with confidence. He and his son Gary were resposible for the Sterling record of good Judges , wonderful service and unblemished integrity of the Robert Lockwood, Clerk of Courts administration of Broward’s Courthouses for over twenty years.
I’m blesssed with the fact that last week I told Tony Garguilo that my first act as the new Clerk of Court is to make his son Gary the Deputy Clerk again to save the 850 employees that are begging for his return.He was so happy to hear that.
September 10th, 2008 at 7:25 am
Bev’s Blog,Dated sept 15.2008 will pay tribute to tony Garguilo
GOOGLE :BEV KENNEDY
September 10th, 2008 at 8:11 am
Bev Kennedy is a wackjob. At best, Tony G. and Gary humored you.
September 10th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
To the Gargiulo Family, I am sorry for your loss. I did not personally know Mr. Gargiulo, but always heard nice things about him.
To “Bev” – This is hardly the format for you own political agenda. Have some class.
September 10th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Uncle Tony G was like a father to me. When I entered the NYCPD in 1968, he took me under his “wing” and provided me with the incentive to study and rise within the ranks of the police department. I always admired his “people skills” and his ability to get the job done, while having fun doing it. He was a true professional, a trusted mentor, and a loving uncle who will surely be missed.
September 12th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
I was disgusted this afternoon to see Al Lamberti working the room asking everyone at the memorial to vote for him. Then to have 4 deputies as honor guards. Hey Buddy maybe you could do a public records request and find out who paid for the deputies to be there? There was a Lamberti campaign person in the parking lot handing out campaign lit.
Al, werent you supposed to be above politics and you were non partisan. You are about as non partisan as Jenne is not a convicted felon. One in the same if you ask me.
October 23rd, 2008 at 7:21 am
‘the truth will set you free”
Gary Garguilo and his father (our late beloved Tony), did more to give our Courthouses an excellent reputation to the very crude bloggers that only know to slander without evidence or truth. May God bless you with his love so that the malice you spew out dry up to become appreciaion and respect for those you try to slander.
October 23rd, 2008 at 7:22 am
‘the truth will set you free”
Gary Garguilo and his father (our late beloved Tony), did more to give our Courthouses an excellent reputation than the very crude bloggers that only know to slander without evidence or truth. May God bless you with his love so that the malice you spew out dry up to become appreciaion and respect for those you try to slander.
October 27th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
You write very well.
FROM BUDDY: Thank you very much!