Background
Hawkins was born in East Orange, New Jersey.
Hawkins was born in East Orange, New Jersey.
Rutgers University (Bachelor of Arts). Seton Hall University (Juris Doctor).
Hawkins is a lawyer, and served from 1970 to 1972 as the city prosecutor of East Orange. In 1971, Hawkins was elected to the District 11D of the New Jersey General Assembly at the age of 31, along with his running mate, Caldwell mayor Peter Stewart. In 1973, Hawkins ran for the Assembly in the 26th District with Richard Codey and Frank J. Dodd for the New Jersey Senate, with all three winning seats.
In the 1977 Democratic primary for the Senate seat, Hawkins and tennis star Althea Gibson challenged incumbent Frank J. Dodd, who had the support of Essex County Democratic organization under County Chairman Harry Lerner.