The longest tenured elected leader in New Jersey history met his sunset Jan. 11.
Family members of former governor Richard J. “Dick” Codey announced his passing in Roseland at the age of 79.
“If anybody embodied our proud New Jersey values, it was Governor Dick Codey. He proved that every single day of his life. Whether as Governor or as the longest-serving lawmaker in New Jersey history, Dick built a safer, healthier future for all of us,” said Gov. Phil Murphy.
“From championing funding for mental health care and stem cell research to advancing smoke-free indoor spaces in New Jersey, Dick protected every one of our communities and sought to cultivate the potential of every one of our neighbors,”
Dick Codey was born Nov. 27, 1946 in Orange. After working for the family funeral business, he tried his hand at politics. In 1973, he won election to the state’s newly formed 26th District along with running mate Eldridge Hawkins, Sr. (Ironically enough, Hawkins’ son once served as mayor of Codey’s native Orange from July 2008 – June 2012.)
Eight years later, Codey “graduated” to the 27th District of the State Senate, winning reelection several times. In 1998, Codey was tapped to serve as Minority Leader.
In 2001, Codey would begin an unusual relationship with the Governor’s mansion. He would serve as one of four acting governors upon Christine Todd Whitman’s departure to work as EPA Administrator for the “Bush 43” Administration. After that stint, Codey would return to the Senate, now as President of the chamber, with Jim McGreevey in charge as governor.
Then, in one of the biggest political scandals in history, McGreevey would leave the office on Nov. 15, 2024, with Codey serving yet again as Acting Governor while serving as Senate President. Not long after, the position of Lieutenant Governor was created to avoid such an issue upon the 2009 election. This delay would result in Codey serving yet again as Acting Governor for a few weeks in the wake of then-Governor Jon S. Corzine’s car accident.
In 2006, legislation was signed to designate anyone who served as governor for 180 days or more as a full-fledged governor, making him the official 53rd Governor and retroactively making Donald T. DiFrancesco the 51st Governor.
Despite a huge swell of support, Codey decided against running for the office full time, and chose instead to return to the Senate, relinquishing his power as president in 2009, but still keeping his elected post. He would hold the 27th District Senate job until his retirement in 2024, serving as an elected New Jersey official for an unprecedented 50 years.
“When Dick announced his retirement from the Legislature back in 2023, he wisely observed that ‘public service is about making a difference in the lives of people,” Murphy continued. “It’s about working together to create a better future for everyone.’ For more than half a century, Dick did exactly that. He distinguished himself as the consummate public servant, working alongside New Jerseyans of all beliefs and backgrounds to chart a brighter path forward. He will be dearly missed.
“On behalf of a grateful state: Thank you, Dick, for everything you have given New Jersey. Tammy and I are sending our love and deepest condolences to Dick’s wife, Mary Jo, their two sons, Kevin and Christopher, and the entire Codey family.”
The news of Codey’s passing also touched the soon-to-be leader of the state.
“Today, our state lost a leader and a great public servant in Governor Dick Codey. As governor, in the assembly, and in the state senate, he used his power to expand mental health resources, implement stronger gun safety laws to protect communities, and bolster substance abuse treatment and prevention programs. He truly cared about the people he served,” said Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill.
“I am lucky to call Governor Codey a mentor and a friend. He was there from the beginning when I decided to run for Congress, and again when I decided to run for governor, and I will always carry with me his deep belief that the future of our state is worth fighting for. I’m sending my deepest condolences to his wife, children, and grandchildren whom he loved dearly. Governor Codey will be sorely missed.”
In addition to signing off on the Lt. Gov. position, Codey also created the post of N.J. Inspector General, pushed laws to stop “pay for play” tactics, led the charge to protect student-athletes from steroids, and spearheaded the efforts for a new football stadium to keep the Giants and Jets in the state.
In recognition of his decades-long service, the South Mountain ice rink at Turtle Back Zoo is named in Codey’s honor.
