A History of New Jersey Governors
New Jersey Governors from 1970 to the present.
William T. Cahill 1970-1974 Enhanced state services, combated crime, improved housing and education. Richard Stockton, Thomas Edison, and Ramapo Colleges opened during his administration. |
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Brendan Byrne 1974-1982 Passed the Pinelands Protection Act to limit development in this area, and oversaw the creation of NJ’s first statewide guide for development. |
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Thomas Kean 1982-1990 Helped create the State Development and Redevelopment Plan, and created the Office of State Planning. Promoted tourism and education. Now President of Drew University. |
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James Florio 1990-1994 Signed the nation’s strongest clean water enforcement law, a comprehensive welfare reform package, and the nation’s toughest assault weapons ban. |
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Christine T. Whitman 1994-2001 Became first female governor of New Jersey. Appointed by President George W. Bush as Administrator of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2001. |
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Donald DiFrancesco 2001-2002 NJ Senate President became Acting Governor on Jan 31, 2001, replacing Gov. Christie Whitman. Established a Domestic Security Task Force in response to Sept. 11 attacks. |
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Jim McGreevey 2002-2004 NJ State Senator and Assemblyman represented the 19th Legislative District - Middlesex County. Served as Mayor as Woodbridge. |
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Richard Codey 2004-2006 A strong advocate for stem cell research and mental health care. In 2005, when New Jersey adopted a constitutional amendment creating the office of Lieutenant Governor, Codey became the last person to serve simultaneously as Governor and Senate President. |
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Jon S. Corzine 2006 - 2010 Represented New Jersey in the U.S. Senate. Governor Corzine brought his business acumen to state government focusing on reducing the state’s debt, property tax relief and improving education and health care. |
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Chris Christie 2010 - A lifelong New Jerseyan, He was U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey in 2002 where he earned praise from both parties and drew national attention for battling political corruption, corporate crime, human trafficking, gangs, terrorism and polluters. |
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