Peg Bennett

Peg Bennett is a nurse who served briefly as First Lady of New Jersey in January 2002. She is the wife of former New Jersey Acting Gov. John O. Bennett.

Bennett became Acting Governor on January 8, 2002 by virtue of his office as Co-President of the New Jersey Senate. Former Gov. Donald DiFrancesco left office at noon on the 8th, with one week to go in the term of former Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, who had stepped down a year earlier to become EPA Administrator. DiFrancesco was briefly succeeded by the state attorney general for 90 minutes and then Bennett for 3 and a half days.

As first lady, Mrs. Bennett was an active presence around the state, issuing several public schedules and visiting hospitals and schools. She promoted the nursing profession and nursing shortage and hosted a reception for nurses at Drumthwacket, the governor's mansion in Princeton. In addition she was hostess of several other Drumthwacket parties thrown during the Bennett Administration. Governor Bennett signed an executive order during his tenure to create a nursing advisory council.