New Jersey Senate#List of Senate presidents

Committee chairs for the 2024–2026 Legislative Session are:{{cite web |title=Senate Committees |url=https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/committees/senate-committees |website=New Jersey Legislature |publisher=New Jersey Office of Legislative Services |access-date=14 January 2024}}

• Budget and Appropriations – Paul Sarlo (D-District 36)
• Commerce – Joseph Lagana (D-District 38)
• Community and Urban Affairs – Troy Singleton (D-District 7)
• Economic Growth – Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-District 5)
• Education – Vin Gopal (D-District 11)
• Environment and Energy – Bob Smith (D-District 17)
• Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens – Joe F. Vitale (D-District 19)
• Higher Education – Joseph Cryan (D-District 20)
• Judiciary – Brian P. Stack (D-District 33)
• Labor – Gordon Johnson (D-District 37)
• Law and Public Safety – Linda R. Greenstein (D-District 14)
• Legislative Oversight – Andrew Zwicker (D-District 16)
• Military and Veterans' Affairs – Raj Mukherji (D-District 32)
• Rules and Order – Vacant
• State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation – James Beach (D-District 6)
• Transportation – Patrick J. Diegnan (D-District 18)

{{See also|List of New Jersey state legislatures}} {{Main|Political party strength in New Jersey}}

The following is a list of presidents of the New Jersey Senate since the adoption of the 1844 State Constitution:{{cite book |title=Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey |year=1977 |publisher=J.A. Fitzgerald |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1ClMAAAAMAAJ }}

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• 1845–1848: John C. Smallwood, Gloucester
• 1849–1850: Ephraim March, Morris
• 1851: Silas D. Canfield, Passaic
• 1852: John Manners, Hunterdon
• 1853–1856: William C. Alexander, Mercer
• 1857–1858: Henry V. Speer, Middlesex
• 1859: Thomas H. Herring, Bergen
• 1860: Charles L. C. Gifford, Essex
• 1861: Edmund Perry, Hunterdon
• 1862: Joseph T. Crowell, Union
• 1863: Anthony Reckless, Monmouth
• 1864: Amos Robbins, Middlesex
• 1865: Edward W. Scudder, Mercer
• 1866: James M. Scovel, Camden
• 1867: Benjamin Buckley, Passaic
• 1868–1869: Henry S. Little, Monmouth
• 1870: Amos Robbins
• 1871–1872: Edward Bettle, Camden
• 1873–1875: John W. Taylor, Essex
• 1876: William J. Sewell, Camden
• 1877: Leon Abbett, Hudson
• 1878: George C. Ludlow, Middlesex
• 1879–1880: William J. Sewell
• 1881–1882: Garret Hobart, Passaic
• 1883: John J. Gardner, Atlantic
• 1884: Benjamin A. Vail, Union
• 1885: Abraham V. Schenck, Middlesex
• 1886: John W. Griggs, Passaic
• 1887: Frederick S. Fish, Essex
• 1888: George H. Large, Hunterdon
• 1889: George T. Werts, Morris
• 1890: Henry M. Nevius, Monmouth
• 1891–1893: Robert Adrain, Middlesex
• 1894: Maurice A. Rogers, Camden
• 1895: Edward C. Stokes, Cumberland
• 1896: Lewis A. Thompson, Somerset (resigned March 30)
• 1896–1897: Robert Williams, Passaic
• 1898: Foster M. Voorhees, Union (became Acting Governor February 1)
• 1898: William H. Skirm (pro tem), Mercer
• 1899: Charles A. Reed, Somerset
• 1900: William M. Johnson, Bergen
• 1901: Mahlon Pitney, Morris
• 1902: Charles Asa Francis, Monmouth
• 1903: Elijah C. Hutchinson, Mercer
• 1904: Edmund W. Wakelee, Bergen
• 1905: Joseph Cross, Union (resigned March 30)
• 1905–1906: William J. Bradley, Camden
• 1907: Bloomfield H. Minch, Cumberland
• 1908: Thomas J. Hillery, Morris
• 1909: Samuel K. Robbins, Burlington (resigned April 16)
• 1909–1910: Joseph S. Frelinghuysen, Somerset
• 1911: Ernest R. Ackerman, Union
• 1912: John Dyneley Prince, Passaic
• 1913: James F. Fielder, Hudson (became Acting Governor March 1)
• 1913: James A. C. Johnson (pro tem), Bergen
• 1914: John W. Slocum, Monmouth
• 1915: Walter E. Edge, Atlantic
• 1916: William T. Read, Camden (resigned March 29)
• 1916–1917: George W. F. Gaunt, Gloucester
• 1918: Thomas F. McCran, Passaic
• 1919: William N. Runyon, Union
• 1920: Clarence E. Case, Somerset
• 1921: Collins B. Allen, Salem
• 1922: William B. Mackay Jr., Bergen
• 1923: Joseph F. Wallworth, Camden
• 1924: Firman M. Reeves, Cumberland
• 1925: William H. Bright, Cape May
• 1926: Morgan F. Larson, Middlesex
• 1927: Francis B. Davis, Gloucester
• 1928: William A. Stevens, Monmouth
• 1929: Thomas A. Mathis, Ocean
• 1930: Arthur N. Pierson, Union
• 1931: Joseph G. Wolber, Essex
• 1932: A. Crozer Reeves, Mercer
• 1933: Emerson Lewis Richards, Atlantic
• 1934: Clifford R. Powell, Burlington
• 1935: Horace G. Prall, Hunterdon
• 1936: John C. Barbour, Passaic (resigned June 26)
• 1936–1937: Frank Durand, Monmouth
• 1938: Charles E. Loizeaux, Union
• 1939: Robert C. Hendrickson, Gloucester
• 1940: Arthur F. Foran, Hunterdon
• 1941–1942: I. Grant Scott, Cape May
• 1943: George H. Stanger, Cumberland
• 1944: Howard Eastwood, Burlington (resigned August 31)
• 1944: George H. Stanger
• 1945: Frank S. Farley, Atlantic
• 1946: Haydn Proctor, Monmouth
• 1947: Charles K. Barton, Passaic
• 1948: John M. Summerill Jr., Salem
• 1949: David Van Alstyne, Bergen
• 1950: Samuel L. Bodine, Hunterdon
• 1951: Alfred B. Littell, Sussex
• 1952: Harold W. Hannold, Gloucester
• 1953: David Young III, Morris
• 1954: W. Steelman Mathis, Ocean
• 1955: Bruce A. Wallace, Camden
• 1956: Wayne Dumont Jr., Warren
• 1957: Albert McCay, Burlington
• 1958: Richard R. Stout, Monmouth
• 1959: Wesley L. Lance, Hunterdon
• 1960: George B. Harper, Sussex
• 1961: Thomas J. Hillery, Morris
• 1962: Robert C. Crane, Union (resigned January 9)
• 1962: Frank S. Farley
• 1963: William E. Ozzard, Somerset
• 1964–1965: Charles W. Sandman, Cape May
• 1966: John A. Lynch Sr., 7th District
• 1967: Sido L. Ridolfi, 6th District
• 1968: Edwin B. Forsythe, 4B District
• 1969: Frank X. McDermott, 9th District
• 1970–1972: Raymond Bateman, 8th District
• 1973: Alfred N. Beadleston, 5th District
• 1974–1975: Frank J. Dodd, 26th District
• 1976–1977: Matthew Feldman, 37th District
• 1978–1981: Joseph P. Merlino, 13th District
• 1982–1986: Carmen A. Orechio, 30th District
• 1986–1990: John F. Russo, 10th District
• 1990–1991: John A. Lynch Jr., 17th District
• 1992–2002: Donald DiFrancesco, 22nd DistrictJohnson, Brent. [https://www.nj.com/politics/2019/09/top-dem-seeking-to-become-longest-serving-nj-senate-president.html "Top Dem could soon become longest-serving N.J. Senate president"], NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, September 18, 2019, updated January 14, 2020. Accessed January 16, 2022. "In January, he will tie Donald DiFrancesco, a Republican who held the position from 1992 to 2002, for the longest tenure in the job."
• 2002–2004: John O. Bennett, 12th District and Richard Codey, 27th District (co-presidents, with the Senate split 20-20)Kocieniewski, David. [https://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/15/nyregion/co-presidents-of-state-senate-devise-plan-to-share-power.html "Co-Presidents Of State Senate Devise Plan To Share Power"], The New York Times, February 15, 2002. Accessed January 16, 2022. "Appearing at a jovial press conference that followed weeks of negotiations, Republican John O. Bennett and Democrat Richard Codey said that they would each serve six months a year as Senate president and that all of the 12 committees will have a co-chairman from each party. They also reached a compromise on the procedural dispute that had left the Senate, split 20-20 between the parties, deadlocked since the Legislature was sworn in Jan. 8."
• 2004–2008: Richard Codey, 27th District (resigned January 7, 2008)Heininger, Claire. [https://www.nj.com/news/2010/01/richard_codey_steps_down_from.html "Richard Codey ends run as N.J. Senate president"], The Star-Ledger, January 12, 2010, updated April 1, 2019. Accessed January 16, 2022. "So it went Monday, Codey's last at the center of New Jersey politics. Starting today, the Essex County Democrat and former governor will become just another face in the crowd when South Jersey Sen. Stephen Sweeney succeeds him as Senate President following a nasty internal fight.... He led the Democrats' Senate caucus for 12 years and became Senate president in 2004."
• 2008: Bernard Kenny, 33rd District (served January 7 to January 8, after Codey resigned to honor Kenny)Reilly, Matthew. [https://www.nj.com/news/2008/01/retiring_after_a_21_year.html "Bernard Kenny honored as Senate president on last day in office"], The Star-Ledger, January 7, 2008, updated April 2, 2019. Accessed January 16, 2022. "Retiring after a 21-year career in the New Jersey Legislature, Senate Majority Leader Bernard Kenny (D-Hudson) today took the gavel as Senate president for day. Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex) relinquished his office for a day as a gesture to Kenny, who decided not to run for re-election to the Senate last November."
• 2008–2010: Richard Codey, 27th District
• 2010–2022: Stephen Sweeney, 3rd District; he was the longest-serving Senate President.Arco, Matt; and Sherman, Ted. [https://www.nj.com/politics/2021/11/scutari-appears-likely-as-next-senate-president-sources-say-with-sweeneys-election-day-loss.html "Scutari appears likely as next Senate president, sources say, with Sweeney's Election Day loss"], NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, November 5, 2021. Accessed January 16, 2022. "Sweeney is the longest-serving Senate president in state history, having held the post since 2010, but he lost his re-election campaign in a surprise upset to a little-known Republican, Edward Durr, the Associated Press projected Thursday."
• 2022–present Nicholas Scutari, 22nd DistrictRacioppi, Dustin. [https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/11/12/nick-scutari-nj-senate-president-steve-sweeney-ed-durr/8585206002/ "Nick Scutari, a 'poor kid from Linden,' selected to become NJ's next Senate president"], The Record, November 12, 2021. Accessed January 16, 2022. "Fellow Democrats on Friday chose Nicholas Scutari to succeed Stephen Sweeney as New Jersey's next Senate president, the second-most powerful position in state government."

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Under a state law that remained in effect until 2008, members of the New Jersey Assembly and Senate were allowed to serve in either chamber, as well as any other government positions they might have held at the time, although those who were still doing so as of 2008 ended up getting "grandfathered":

: Name, Party-County – Second Public Office (names in bold represent state Senators still in both local and state offices as of 2024):

Senators:

• Dana Redd, D-Camden – Councilwoman, Camden
• Nicholas Sacco, D-Hudson – Mayor, North Bergen
• Paul Sarlo, D-Bergen – Mayor, Wood-Ridge
• Robert Singer, R-Ocean – Committeeman, Lakewood
• Brian Stack, D-Hudson – Mayor, Union City
• Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester – Freeholder, Gloucester County

{{Main|Senatorial courtesy (New Jersey)}}

File:New Jersey State Senate in action, June 2013.JPG

Senatorial courtesy is a senate tradition that allows home county legislators to intercede to prevent consideration of a local resident nominated by the governor for a position that requires Senate confirmation.Jones, Richard G. [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/20/nyregion/20justice.html?ref=nyregion "Senator Drops Objections to Corzine Court Nominee"], The New York Times, June 20, 2007. Accessed June 20, 2007. "Senator Gill had delayed Mr. Rabner's confirmation hearing by using "senatorial courtesy" — an obscure practice through which senators who represent the home county of nominees may block consideration of their confirmations." Any of the senators from the nominee's home county can invoke senatorial courtesy to block a nomination, temporarily or permanently, without any obligation to justify the basis of their actions.Carmiel, Oshrat. [http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkzJmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3MTU0NzcyJnlyaXJ5N2Y3MTdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5Mw== "Deadline looms for Molinelli's job"], The Record (Bergen County), June 20, 2007. Accessed June 20, 2007. "Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli, whose term expired last month, may have to wait until the fall to be considered again for a second term if state Sen. Loretta Weinberg doesn't sign off on his nomination today.... Weinberg is invoking an unwritten practice called senatorial courtesy, which allows state senators to block consideration of gubernatorial nominees from their home counties without explanation. The courtesy tradition, as applied to Molinelli, requires each senator from Bergen County to sign off on his nomination before the Judiciary Committee can consider the nomination."

Governor Corzine nominated Stuart Rabner on June 4, 2007, to be the next Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, replacing James R. Zazzali, who was nearing mandatory retirement age.[http://www.c-n.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070531/FRONT01/70531007/-1/UPDATES "Source: Corzine picks Rabner as chief justice, Milgram as AG"]{{dead link|date=February 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}, Courier News, May 31, 2007. Accessed May 31, 2007. Shortly after the nomination, two members of the Senate from Essex County, where Rabner resides, blocked consideration of his confirmation by invoking senatorial courtesy. State Senator Ronald Rice had initially blocked the nomination, but relented on June 15, 2007, after a meeting with the governor.Associated Press. [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/15/nyregion/15jersey.html?fta=y "Opposition Ebbs on Corzine Judge"], The New York Times, June 15, 2007. Accessed June 20, 2007. "Ronald L. Rice, an Essex County Democrat and state senator, said yesterday that he would no longer block Gov. Jon S. Corzine's nomination for chief justice of the State Supreme Court." Nia Gill dropped her block on June 19, 2007, but did not explain the nature of her concerns, though anonymous lawmakers cited in The New York Times indicated that the objection was due to Rabner's race and Governor Corzine's failure to consider a minority candidate for the post. Also in June 2007, Loretta Weinberg used senatorial courtesy privileges to hold up consideration of a new term in office for Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli.

Until 2010, in the event of a gubernatorial vacancy, the New Jersey Constitution had specified that the President of the Senate (followed by the Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly) would assume the role of Acting Governor and retain their role in the Senate (or Assembly). An Acting Governor would then assume the governorship while retaining their role in their house of the legislature.Byrne, Brendan T. [https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/29/nyregion/lt-governor-is-not-a-solution.html "Lt. Governor Is Not A Solution" (opinion commentary)], The New York Times, August 29, 2004. Byrne, a former New Jersey governor, who opposed the creation of the lieutenant governor post, stated: "But what really troubles people in New Jersey is the fact that the senate president becomes acting governor while retaining his senate presidency." Retrieved August 30, 2004.

The lieutenant governor of New Jersey took office for the first time on January 19, 2010, following an election with the governor of New Jersey. The position was created as the result of a constitutional amendment to the New Jersey State Constitution passed on November 8, 2005. While the amendment itself took effect as of January 17, 2006, and made some interim changes to the succession to the governorship, the first lieutenant governor was not elected until November 3, 2009. The President of the Senate now serves as acting governor only in the absence of both the governor and lieutenant governor. For example, Nicholas Scutari became acting governor of New Jersey on June 4, 2022, as both Governor Phil Murphy and Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver were out of state on personal trips.Johnson, Brent. [https://www.nj.com/politics/2022/06/nj-senate-president-scutari-gets-first-crack-at-taking-over-for-murphy-as-acting-gov-saturday.html "N.J. Senate President Scutari gets first crack at taking over for Murphy as acting gov Saturday"], NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, June 3, 2022. Accessed March 12, 2024. "It was only six months ago that Nicholas Scutari was suddenly elevated to state Senate president, one of the most powerful positions in New Jersey government.... In a rare situation, Scutari will serve as acting governor of the Garden State on Saturday for the first time as both Gov. Phil Murphy and Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, both fellow Democrats, will be out of state on personal trips." He again became acting governor on July 31, 2023 when Murphy was out of state and Oliver was in the hospital due to an illness, from which she died the following day.Pizarro, Max. [https://www.insidernj.com/oliver-ill-scutari-serving-as-acting-governor/ "Oliver ill, Scutari Serving as Acting Governor"], Insider NJ, July 31, 2023. Accessed March 12, 2024. Oliver's death led Scutari to serve as acting lieutenant governor until the vacancy was officially filled on September 8, 2023, when Tahesha Way was sworn in.McCarthy, Mia. [https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2023/08/what-happens-next-for-new-jersey-after-lt-gov-sheila-olivers-death-00109238 "What happens next for New Jersey after Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver's death"], Politico, August 1, 2023. Accessed May 28, 2024. "Senate President Nick Scutari will serve as acting lieutenant governor until Murphy picks the next second-in-command."

{{portal|New Jersey}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ New Jersey Legislature Homepage]
• [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/bills0001.asp New Jersey Senate Bill Search]
• [http://www.votesmart.org/officials/NJ/L/new-jersey-state-legislative New Jersey section] of Project Vote Smart, a national database of voting records and other information about legislators.
• [http://www.njsendems.com/ Senate Democratic Office]
• [http://www.senatenj.com/ Senate Republican Office]

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Category:New Jersey Legislature

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