Linda Banks

***Linda Banks***

**Linda Aubrey Banks** was the Governor of New Jersey, Representative of New Jersey, and the wife of Jonathan Banks Jr.. Linda was also one of the founders of the Democratic Party and later Democratic Union Party, and the Chairman of both. Linda was also the first woman to become a Governor and a Representative, as well as being the only woman public official from the New England Republic.

## Political Career

### Governorship

In the 1794 New Jersey Governor Race, Linda would narrowly beat out William Paterson, and would become the first ever woman to become a Governor of any state. As Governor Linda Banks would expand woman's rights in the state, becoming the most progressive state in the union. Banks would also reform the state court system, and form public schools for all children of the state. Linda also helped pass legislation to improve infrastructure across the state. Linda would start an ambitious project in Newark to build monuments to all Founding Fathers, a loose term often referred to as all the people who attended the Constitutional Convention.

Linda would be the first Governor to address the New England Plague of 1797, shutting down travel from the infected areas. In 1798 Linda would win her second term as Governor, winning with another plurality. In 1799 she ordered the construction of a new Governor's mansion, and would later that year make the first known law to fight homelessness, the Public Housing Act of New Jersey, also creating a layered income tax in the state.

In July - August of 1800 the feud between Linda Banks and future President George Benckendorf kicked off, culminating in the New Jersey Courts Cases and the eventual secession of New Jersey from the United States of America. The Battles of Trenton and New Brunswick would mostly kill the state government, but some lived on fleeing to Newark, which was lost at the Battle of Newark. Linda's last shred of legitimacy vanished after her brother, General James Aubrey, lost at Battle of the Mullica River, after this Banks was no longer held any land in New Jersey, though was later elected as it's Senator for New England by the 13 escaped statesman of New Jersey. Gerald Smith was nominated by John Adams to hold the position of Governor until the next Governor election could be held.

### House of Representatives

Linda Banks would win a seat as a Representative in 1794, becoming the first woman to hold the office. Banks would fight for and get passed woman rights legislation in her first term, becoming a hero for woman across the country.

Linda would first attempt to expel Representative William T. Covington for disorderly conduct, a proposal which would fail on the Congress floor. Linda would be the first person to propose what would later be the 14th Amendment to the Congress, which was denied heading into the 1796 Presidential Election. Linda would try to remove all taxes on alcohol and later end gender discrimination, all of which would fail. Linda would also try to force a national popular vote on the states, which would be a resounding failure.

On August 17, 1800 Linda would resign from the house, leaving it after the State of New Jersey unofficially seceded from the United States.

## Personal Life

Linda Banks was born on September 27, 1759 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Linda met Jonathan Banks Jr. in 1786, and they would later marry in 1787, having 2 children: Jonathan Banks III in 1788 and Anna Banks in 1791. Jonathan Banks Jr. would die in 1793 after attempting an assassination of George Washington, Linda moved north to New Jersey to escape the war torn south with her children. Linda would be enthralled by the politics and her ability to vote in elections, and this would drive much of her career. On February 23, 1802 Linda Banks was shot by a pro-union rioter while at a restaurant in Boston, Massachusetts. Linda was succeeded by her son Jonathan Banks III and her daughter Anna Banks, who were both cared for by Linda's third cousin William Aubrey in his New York home until they turned 18 years old.

* Jonathan Banks III (Born: August 9, 1788)
* Anna Banks (Born: November 27, 1791)