Background
Wertz was born in Kew Gardens, Queens.
Wertz was born in Kew Gardens, Queens.
He attended Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park, New New York
He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Alfred University and a Juris Doctor degree from Albany Law School. Wertz served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve for six years with the 2nd Battalion 25th Marines. Wertz worked for State Farm Insurance, after which he was a Senior Attorney in Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court.
From 1967 through 1970, he served as Town Attorney for the Town of Smithtown, New New York
He left office in 2002, after losing to John Jay Flanagan in a primary election for the New York State Senate.
He was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1971 to 2002, sitting in the 179th, 180th, 181st, 182nd, 183rd, 184th, 185th, 186th, 187th, 188th, 189th, 190th, 191st, 192nd, 193rd and 194th New York State Legislatures.