List of Governors of New Jersey

This is a list of those who have served as Governor of New Jersey from 1776 to the present. Traditionally, only elected governors are considered in the numeration of the governors, hence William Livingston is often given the honor of being the first Governor of New Jersey. However, legislation signed on January 10, 2006 allowed those acting governors who had served at least 180 days to drop the "acting" from their title to become "Governor". This changed Donald DiFrancesco and Richard Codey's titles retroactively and also affected Jim McGreevey's numbering.New Jersey Legislature. P.L.2005, c.282.: [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2004/Bills/PL05/282_.HTM Provides title of person who serves as Acting Governor for continuous period of at least 180 days will be "Governor of the State of New Jersey" for official and historical purposes] . Approved January 9, 2006, retroactive to January 1, 2001. Accessed January 6, 2008.]

Acting governors are listed only where there is a permanent gubernatorial vacancy, not when a sitting Governor is out-of-state or temporarily unable to perform their duties as Governor.

Colonial governors

Governors under representative government (1776—)

Governors under the 1776 N.J. Constitution (1776–1844)

1 Resigned as Governor to become Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency

2 Was one of three New Jersey State Senate Presidents who held the position of Acting Governor during this time

3 As the New Jersey Attorney General, assumed the office of Governor for 90 minutes while a new Senate President was being sworn in for the new session

4 Resigned as Governor in August 2004, effective November 15, 2004.

5 Became Governor on November 15, 2004, following resignation of Gov. McGreevey. He served until January 17, 2006 when Jon Corzine was sworn into office

6 As per legislation signed by Governor Codey on January 10, 2006, any acting Governor who serves for at least 6 months would officially have the title "Governor." This law was applied retroactively to DiFrancesco as well.

Living former governors

As of November 2007, seven former governors and two former acting governors were alive, the oldest being Brendan Byrne (1974–1982, born 1924). The most recent governor to die was William T. Cahill (1970–1974), on July 1 1996.

ee also

* Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey

References

* [http://www.state.nj.us/inaugural/past.html Governors of New Jersey] - source for numbering of governors, with William Livingston counted as the first governor, and reflecting legislative changes regarding Acting Governors.me

External links

* [http://www.state.nj.us/inaugural/past.html State of New Jersey website - List of Governors]
* [http://www.njstatelib.org/NJ_Information/Digital_Collections/Digidox6.php Biographies of New Jersey Governors] , New Jersey State Library