Governor of New Jersey
Encyclopedia
The Office of the Governor of New Jersey is the executive branch for the U.S. state
of New Jersey
. The office of Governor
is an elected position, for which elected officials serve four year terms. While individual politicians may serve as many terms as they can be elected to, Governors cannot be elected to more than two consecutive terms. The official residence for the Governor is Drumthwacket
, a mansion located in Princeton, New Jersey
, but the office of the Governor is at the New Jersey State House
. The current Governor is Chris Christie, who assumed office on January 19, 2010.
functions of the state, and is not directly subordinate to the federal authorities. The governor assumes additional roles, such as being the Commander-in-Chief
of the New Jersey National Guard
forces (when they are not federalized).
The Governor of New Jersey is considered one of the most powerful governorships in the nation as it is currently the only state-wide (non-federal) elected executive office in the state. Thus, unlike many other states that have elections for some cabinet
-level positions, under the New Jersey State Constitution
the governor appoints the entire cabinet, subject to confirmation by the New Jersey Senate
. More importantly, under the New Jersey constitution, the governor appoints all superior court judges and county prosecutors, although this is done with strong consideration of the preferences of the individual state senators who represent the district where vacancies arise.
The Governor is also responsible for appointing two constitutionally created officers, the New Jersey Attorney General
and the New Jersey Secretary of State, with the approval of the senate.
The governor serves a four-year term, with no limit on total terms but no more than two terms in a row. State law allows for a maximum salary of $175,000. Jon Corzine
accepted a token salary of $1 per year as Governor. Jim McGreevey
, his predecessor, took home an annual salary of $157,000.
The Executive Mansion and ceremonial residence of the governor is Drumthwacket
, located in the Township of Princeton
. Some governors have chosen to either live in the mansion part-time or in their own homes.
that creates the position of Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey
, effective with the 2009 elections.
Before this amendment was passed, a Senate President who became governor or acting governor as a result of a permanent vacancy in the Office of Governor was even more powerful than an elected governor, as he simultaneously served as president of the
New Jersey Senate
, thus having a major hand in one half of the legislative process and being the executive process. As a result of the constitutional amendment passed in 2005, Governor Richard Codey
was the final person to wield such power.
Monmouth Sheriff Kim Guadagno
was sworn in as New Jersey's first Lieutenant Governor, on 19 January 2010, under Governor Chris Christie.
Eagleton Institute of Politics
, was established in 2006 to study the governors of New Jersey and, to a lesser degree, the governors of other states. Currently the program features extensive archives of documents and pictures from the Byrne and Kean administrations, video interviews with many members of the respective administrations, some information on other American governors, and news updates on current governors (of all 50 states). The project is in the process of creating new archives, similar to the Byrne and Kean archives, for later administrations.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. The office of Governor
Governor (United States)
In the United States, the title governor refers to the chief executive of each state or insular territory, not directly subordinate to the federal authorities, but the political and ceremonial head of the state.-Role and powers:...
is an elected position, for which elected officials serve four year terms. While individual politicians may serve as many terms as they can be elected to, Governors cannot be elected to more than two consecutive terms. The official residence for the Governor is Drumthwacket
Drumthwacket
Drumthwacket is the official residence of the governor of New Jersey. The mansion is located at 354 Stockton Street in Princeton, New Jersey, close to the state capital of Trenton...
, a mansion located in Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton is a community located in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. It is best known as the location of Princeton University, which has been sited in the community since 1756...
, but the office of the Governor is at the New Jersey State House
New Jersey State House
The New Jersey State House is located in Trenton and is the house of government for the U.S. state of New Jersey. After the Maryland State Capitol in Annapolis, it is the second oldest state house in continuous legislative use in the United States...
. The current Governor is Chris Christie, who assumed office on January 19, 2010.
Role
The governor is directly elected by the voters to become the political and ceremonial head of the sovereign state. The governor performs the executiveExecutive (government)
Executive branch of Government is the part of government that has sole authority and responsibility for the daily administration of the state bureaucracy. The division of power into separate branches of government is central to the idea of the separation of powers.In many countries, the term...
functions of the state, and is not directly subordinate to the federal authorities. The governor assumes additional roles, such as being the Commander-in-Chief
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...
of the New Jersey National Guard
New Jersey National Guard
The New Jersey Army National Guard consists of over 9000 Guardsmen. The Guard is currently engaged in several worldwide and homeland missions. Units have deployed to Iraq, Guantanamo Bay, Afghanistan, Germany and Egypt...
forces (when they are not federalized).
The Governor of New Jersey is considered one of the most powerful governorships in the nation as it is currently the only state-wide (non-federal) elected executive office in the state. Thus, unlike many other states that have elections for some cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
-level positions, under the New Jersey State Constitution
New Jersey State Constitution
The Constitution of the State of New Jersey is the basic governing document of the State of New Jersey. In addition to three British Royal Charters issued for East Jersey, West Jersey and united New Jersey while they were still colonies, the state has been governed by three constitutions...
the governor appoints the entire cabinet, subject to confirmation by the New Jersey Senate
New Jersey Senate
The New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. From 1844 until 1965 New Jersey's counties elected one Senator, each. Under the 1844 Constitution the term of office was three years. The 1947...
. More importantly, under the New Jersey constitution, the governor appoints all superior court judges and county prosecutors, although this is done with strong consideration of the preferences of the individual state senators who represent the district where vacancies arise.
The Governor is also responsible for appointing two constitutionally created officers, the New Jersey Attorney General
New Jersey Attorney General
The Attorney General of New Jersey is a member of the executive cabinet of the state. The office is appointed by the Governor of New Jersey and term limited...
and the New Jersey Secretary of State, with the approval of the senate.
The governor serves a four-year term, with no limit on total terms but no more than two terms in a row. State law allows for a maximum salary of $175,000. Jon Corzine
Jon Corzine
Jon Stevens Corzine is the former CEO of Goldman Sachs and of MF Global, and a one time American politician, who served as the 54th Governor of New Jersey from 2006 to 2010. A Democrat, Corzine served five years of a six-year U.S. Senate term representing New Jersey before being elected Governor...
accepted a token salary of $1 per year as Governor. Jim McGreevey
Jim McGreevey
James Edward "Jim" McGreevey is an American Democratic politician. He served as the 52nd Governor of New Jersey from January 15, 2002, until he resigned from office at 11:59 pm on November 15, 2004. His term was set to expire on January 17, 2006...
, his predecessor, took home an annual salary of $157,000.
The Executive Mansion and ceremonial residence of the governor is Drumthwacket
Drumthwacket
Drumthwacket is the official residence of the governor of New Jersey. The mansion is located at 354 Stockton Street in Princeton, New Jersey, close to the state capital of Trenton...
, located in the Township of Princeton
Princeton Township, New Jersey
Also Princeton Borough is an independent municipality completely surrounded by the township.Princeton North is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Princeton Township....
. Some governors have chosen to either live in the mansion part-time or in their own homes.
Lieutenant governor
On Election Day, November 8, 2005, the voters passed an amendment to the New Jersey State ConstitutionNew Jersey State Constitution
The Constitution of the State of New Jersey is the basic governing document of the State of New Jersey. In addition to three British Royal Charters issued for East Jersey, West Jersey and united New Jersey while they were still colonies, the state has been governed by three constitutions...
that creates the position of Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey
Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey
The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is a position that has existed since January 2010, following conjoint 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 by the voters on November 8, 2005...
, effective with the 2009 elections.
Before this amendment was passed, a Senate President who became governor or acting governor as a result of a permanent vacancy in the Office of Governor was even more powerful than an elected governor, as he simultaneously served as president of the
President of the Senate
The President of the Senate is a title often given to the presiding officer of a senate, and is the speaker of other assemblies.The senate president often ranks high in a jurisdiction's succession for its top executive office: for example, the President of the Senate of Nigeria is second in line...
New Jersey Senate
New Jersey Senate
The New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. From 1844 until 1965 New Jersey's counties elected one Senator, each. Under the 1844 Constitution the term of office was three years. The 1947...
, thus having a major hand in one half of the legislative process and being the executive process. As a result of the constitutional amendment passed in 2005, Governor Richard Codey
Richard Codey
Richard James Codey is an American Democratic Party politician who served as the 53rd Governor of New Jersey from November 2004 to January 2006. He has served in the New Jersey Senate since 1981 and served as the President of the Senate from 2002 to January 2010. He represents the 27th Legislative...
was the final person to wield such power.
Monmouth Sheriff Kim Guadagno
Kim Guadagno
Kim Guadagno is the first Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey, having won the 2009 election as the running mate of Governor Chris Christie. She is also concurrently the Secretary of State of New Jersey.-Early life:...
was sworn in as New Jersey's first Lieutenant Governor, on 19 January 2010, under Governor Chris Christie.
Current cabinet
| Department | Office | Incumbent | In office since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department of State | Secretary of State | Kim Guadagno Kim Guadagno Kim Guadagno is the first Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey, having won the 2009 election as the running mate of Governor Chris Christie. She is also concurrently the Secretary of State of New Jersey.-Early life:... |
January 19, 2010 |
| Department of Law and Public Safety New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety The New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety is a governmental agency in the U.S. state of New Jersey that focuses on protection of the lives and property of New Jersey residents and visitors. The department operates under the supervision of the New Jersey Attorney General... |
Attorney General New Jersey Attorney General The Attorney General of New Jersey is a member of the executive cabinet of the state. The office is appointed by the Governor of New Jersey and term limited... |
Paula Dow | February 23, 2010 |
| Department of the Treasury | State Treasurer New Jersey Department of the Treasury The mission of the New Jersey Department of the Treasury is to formulate and manage the state's budget, generate and collect revenues, disburse the appropriations used to operate New Jersey state government, manage the state's physical and financial assets, and provide statewide support services to... |
Andrew Eristoff Andrew Eristoff Andrew P. Sidamon-Eristoff is a Republican Party politician from New York City who currently serves as New Jersey State Treasurer under Governor Chris Christie... |
March 2, 2010 |
| Department of Military and Veterans Affairs New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is a governmental department of the State of New Jersey. It is composed of the New Jersey Army National Guard as well as the New Jersey Air National Guard. They are administered by the Adjutant General and staff which oversees the... |
Adjutant General | Maj. Gen. Glenn Rieth Glenn K. Rieth Glenn K. Rieth is the Adjutant General of New Jersey, and is the commander of the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard which compose the New Jersey Department of Military Affairs... |
March 4, 2002 |
| Department of Human Services | Commissioner of Human Services | Jennifer Velez | June 21, 2007 |
| Department of Agriculture New Jersey Department of Agriculture The New Jersey Department of Agriculture is a state governmental agency that is responsible for promotion and protection of agriculture and agribusiness in the State of New Jersey... |
Secretary of Agriculture | Douglas Fisher Douglas H. Fisher Douglas H. Fisher is the New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture and an American Democratic Party politician. He served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2002-2009, representing the 3rd legislative district.-Education:... |
March 7, 2009 |
| Department of Banking and Insurance | Commissioner of Banking and Insurance | Tom Considine Thomas B. Considine Thomas B. Considine is the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance. Prior to being named Commissioner, Considine worked at MetLife, Inc., a global financial services company, for nearly 17 years... |
March 24, 2010 |
| Department of Transportation | Commissioner of Transportation New Jersey Department of Transportation The New Jersey Department of Transportation is the agency responsible for transportation issues and policy in New Jersey. It is headed by the Commissioner of Transportation... |
Jim Simpson James Simpson (government official) James S. Simpson is commissioner of New Jersey's Department of Transportationand a former federal government official and moving company executive.... |
March 11, 2010 |
| Department of Education New Jersey Department of Education The New Jersey Department of Education administers state and federal aid programs affecting more than 1.4 million public and non-public elementary and secondary school children in the state of New Jersey. The department is headquartered in Trenton.The Department is responsible for ensuring that... |
Commissioner of Education | Christopher Cerf (acting) | January 18, 2011 |
| Department of Labor and Workforce Development | Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development | Harold Wirths | May 24, 2010 |
| Department of Health and Senior Services New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services is a governmental agency of the U.S. state of New Jersey.New Jersey's State Board of Health was established in 1877. Its administrative functions were vested in the Department of Health, which was created in 1947. In 1996, the latter was... |
Commissioner of Health and Senior Services | Mary O'Dowd | June 03, 2011 |
| Department of Children and Families | Commissioner of Children and Families | Allison Blake | July 30, 2010 |
| Department of Environmental Protection New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is a government agency in the U.S. state of New Jersey that is responsible for managing the state's natural resources and addressing issues related to pollution... |
Commissioner of Environmental Protection | Bob Martin | January 19, 2010 |
| Department of Corrections New Jersey Department of Corrections The New Jersey Department of Corrections is responsible for operations and management of prison facilities in the U.S. state of New Jersey... |
Commissioner of Corrections | Gary Lanigan | March 22, 2010 |
| Department of Community Affairs New Jersey Department of Community Affairs The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs is a governmental agency of the U.S. state of New Jersey. The department is headed by Commissioner Lori Grifa... |
Commissioner of Community Affairs | Lori Grifa | June 2, 2010 |
Center on the American Governor
The Center on the American Governor, at Rutgers'Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
Eagleton Institute of Politics
Eagleton Institute of Politics
The Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University was established in 1956 with an endowment from Florence Peshine Eagleton , and it focuses on state and national politics through education, and public service.-Background:...
, was established in 2006 to study the governors of New Jersey and, to a lesser degree, the governors of other states. Currently the program features extensive archives of documents and pictures from the Byrne and Kean administrations, video interviews with many members of the respective administrations, some information on other American governors, and news updates on current governors (of all 50 states). The project is in the process of creating new archives, similar to the Byrne and Kean archives, for later administrations.