Isaac Bacharach
American politician

Isaac Bacharach
From Volume 1 of 1918's Scannell's New Jersey's First Citizens
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Jersey's 2nd district
In office
March 4, 1915 – January 3, 1937
Preceded byJ. Thompson Baker
Succeeded byElmer H. Wene
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from Atlantic County
In office
1911
Preceded byWalter E. Edge
Succeeded byCarlton Godfrey
Member of the Atlantic City Council
In office
1905–1910
Personal details
BornJanuary 5, 1870
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedSeptember 5, 1956(1956-09-05) (aged 86)
Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
Resting placeMount Sinai Cemetery in Philadelphia
PartyRepublican
RelationsHarry Bacharach (brother)
ProfessionPolitician
NicknameBoardwalk Ike

Isaac Bacharach (January 5, 1870 – September 5, 1956) was an American financier, real estate broker, and Republican Party politician from Atlantic City, New Jersey who represented New Jersey's 2nd congressional district from 1915 to 1937. He also served two terms on the Atlantic City Council (1905–10) and one term in the New Jersey General Assembly (1911).

Early life and education

Isaac Bacharach was born on January 5, 1870 in Philadelphia to Jacob and Betty (Nusbaum) Bacharach. In 1881, the family moved to New Jersey and settled in Atlantic City, where he attended the public schools and graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1885. His family became influential in the city and region, and he became an Atlantic City merchant after leaving school before entering the real estate business.[1][2] He also became interested in the lumber business and in banking. He was president of the Atlantic City Lumber Company, first vice president of the Second National Bank of Atlantic City, and a director of the Atlantic Safe Deposit and Trust Company and the Absecon National Bank.[1]

His real estate firm, founded in 1895, was one of the first developers in the city of Brigantine and was responsible for building the Brigantine Hotel. He remained active in its management until his death.[3]

His brother, Harry Bacharach, was also involved in Atlantic City politics and served several terms as mayor. He was arrested for electoral fraud in connection with his 1910 campaign.[4]

Political career

Bacharach was elected to two terms on the Atlantic City council and served from 1906 to 1911. During his term on the council, he chaired a number of important committees, including the Committee on Finance, and acted as floor leader for the Republican Party.[2][3]

In 1910, he was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly. He served one term in 1911 and declined a nomination for a second term.[2]

Bacharach returned to politics in 1913 when he was recruited to run for the United States House of Representatives in New Jersey's 2nd congressional district, representing Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, and Cumberland counties.[2] Bacharach was elected in 1914 and re-elected to ten consecutive terms until 1936, when he was defeated by Elmer H. Wene.

He was also a delegate to the 1920 Republican National Convention in Chicago.

After leaving Congress, he engaged in the real-estate and insurance business in Atlantic City.

Personal life and death

Bacharach married Florence Scull. She died in 1904; they had no children.[3]

In 1924, Isaac Bacharach and his brother Harry founded the Betty Bacharach Home for Afflicted Children in Longport. The home cared for children afflicted with infantile paralysis. The building was turned over to the Atlantic City Lodge of the Elks before becoming the Longport borough hall in 1990.[3][5]

Bacharach died at Atlantic City Hospital on September 5, 1956, after suffering a stroke at his home in Brigantine.[3] He was interred in Mount Sinai Cemetery in Philadelphia.

Electoral history

United States House of Representatives

United States House of Representatives elections, 1936[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Elmer H. Wene 55,580 49.99
Republican Isaac Bacharach (incumbent) 50958 45.83 Decrease4.60
Union Ted Lenore 3,241 2.91
Property Home Protection U. G. Robinson 1,206 1.08
Socialist Franklin L. Watkins 97 0.09 Decrease0.14
National Union for Social Justice Frank A. Yacovelli 86 0.08
End Poverty Thomas F. Ogilvie 17 0.02
Total votes 111,185 100.0
Democratic gain from Republican
United States House of Representatives elections, 1934[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Isaac Bacharach (incumbent) 49.824 50.43 Decrease12.47
Democratic Charles W. Ackley 48,743 49.34
Socialist Franklin L. Watkins 226 0.23
Total votes 98,793 100
Republican hold
United States House of Representatives elections, 1932[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Isaac Bacharach (incumbent) 60,963 62.90 Decrease16.77
Democratic Harry R. Coulomb 35,257 36.38
Socialist Albert H. Schreiber 413 0.43
Prohibition Walter L. Yerkes 292 0.30
Total votes 96,925 100
Republican hold
United States House of Representatives elections, 1930[9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Isaac Bacharach (incumbent) 67,729 79.67 Increase3.41
Democratic Hans Froelicher Jr. 17,125 20.14
Communist Florian Ambrosch 155 0.18
Total votes 85,009 99.99
Republican hold
United States House of Representatives elections, 1928[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Isaac Bacharach (incumbent) 99,109 76.26
Democratic George R. Greis 30,856 23.74
Total votes 129,965 100.0

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Answer Guy: Betty Bacharach". May 10, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d Scannell, John James (1917). Scannell's New Jersey's First Citizens and State Guide. Vol. II. Paterson, N.J.: J. J. Scannell.
  3. ^ a b c d e "ISAAC BACHARACH, EX-LAWMAKER, 86; Jersey Republican Served in the House in 1914-36--Was Real Estate Developer". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  4. ^ "MAYOR RIDDLE DEFEATED.; Twenty-six Arrests Made in Atlantic City Election.", The New York Times, May 10, 1916
  5. ^ "Borough of Longport, New Jersey:History". Borough of Longport, New Jersey, official web site. Borough of Longport, New Jersey. August 17, 2010. Archived from the original on August 31, 2010. Retrieved August 17, 2010.
  6. ^ "STATE OF NEW JERSEY Result of the General Election Held November 3rd, 1936" (PDF). p. 4. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  7. ^ "STATE OF NEW JERSEY Result of the General Election Held November 6th, 1934" (PDF). p. 3. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  8. ^ "STATE OF NEW JERSEY Result of the General Election Held November 8th, 1932" (PDF). p. 4. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  9. ^ "STATE OF NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF STATE Result of the General Election Held November 4th, 1930" (PDF). p. 3. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  10. ^ "STATE OF NEW JERSEY Results of the General Election Held November 6th, 1928" (PDF). p. 4. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
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