NEW JERSEY — Former New Jersey Democratic Gov. Richard Codey, a longtime lawmaker who replaced Jim McGreevey as governor after his resignation in 2004, has died at the age of 79, his family announced on Sunday.
Codey served as the 53rd governor of New Jersey, leading the Garden State between 2004-2006. He spent over half a century working in the state legislature.
In a statement released on social media, Codey’s family says the former governor died peacefully at home, surrounded by family, after suffering from a brief illness.
“Our family has lost a beloved husband, father and grandfather — and New Jersey lost a remarkable public servant who touched the lives of all who knew him,” the statement said.
“He lived his life with humility, compassion and a deep sense of responsibility to others. He spoke the truth when others wouldn’t and fought tirelessly for the people of New Jersey during his record-setting 50 years in the Legislature. He made friends as easily with Presidents as he did with strangers in all-night diners. We take comfort in knowing how many people he helped, inspired and stood up for over the years. We will share information about services in the coming days.”
New Jersey State Sen. and former Democratic Gov. Richard Codey is seen before New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy delivers his State of the State, in Trenton, N.J., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.
AP Photo/Matt Rourke
In a statement Sunday afternoon, outgoing Gov. Phil Murphy says he will remember Codey, who was often referred to by his nickname Dick, for his “legacy of heroic service.”
“If anybody embodied our proud New Jersey values, it was Governor Dick Codey,” Murphy said.
“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. 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.”
Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. also issued a statement reflecting on Codey’s impact and legacy.
“Richard Codey was a prominent figure in Essex County and New Jersey for over a half century, serving as an Assemblyman, Senate President and Interim Governor. I respected Dick for his ability to get things done and how he always was a staunch advocate for his constituents. I am glad that we dedicated Codey Arena in his honor in 2005 while he was alive so that he could see how much people appreciated him and the impact he had. My condolences go out to his family,” DiVincenzo Jr. said.
In 2023, a then 76-year-old Codey announced his plans for retirement, fifty years after first stepping into politics.
The calls poured in to salute a man who served in the Assembly, Senate and also served 14 months as governor after McGreevey announced he was a gay American and planned to leave office in August of 2004.
Codey’s wife was having minor surgery that day and he walked to his office to wait, unaware McGreevey was stepping down.
“I walk into my office and they say, ‘hello governor,'” Codey said.
Once it was confirmed, he returned to his recovering wife and delivered the news.
“She’s in recovery and I tell her, ‘you’re the first lady,'” Codey said. “She’s like ‘what do you mean I’m the first lady?’ I said, ‘well McGreevey is resigning and I’m going to become the governor and you’re going to be the first lady. She’s like, ‘is there anything to knock me back out?”
But during his time in office, the governor and his wife Mary Jo went public with her mental health issues and he became a leading advocate for helping those suffering from depression.
“We’re very proud of her and because of that, we passed many laws to help women, especially those who have just given birth,” Codey said at the time.
Codey was the first in his Irish family to go to college. In fact, he went to four before graduating from Fairleigh Dickinson.
He won his assembly seat in 1973, became a senator in 1982 and then Senate president in 2002. That’s how he became governor when McGreevey officially left office in November of 2004.
Besides improving mental health, Codey expanded the turnpike, improved school security and he was an early supporter of future President Barack Obama.
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