Background

McGowan was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey on January 19, 1920.

Education

He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Elizabeth and attended Union Junior College in Cranford.

Career

He founded Colby and McGowan, Incorporated., an Elizabeth-based printing firm, in 1938. He was elected to the New Jersey State Assembly in 1957, and was re-elected in 1959 and 1961.

Achievements

• He ran for State Senator in 1963 and won the Democratic primary against Assemblyman John Jay Wilson, but lost to incumbent Republican Nelson Stamler by a 55%-45% margin.