Former New Jersey Gov. Richard Codey dies at 79
Former New Jersey governor Richard Codey, who became the state’s longest‑serving lawmaker over a 50‑year career in Trenton, died early Sunday at his home after a brief illness, his family announced. Codey, a Democrat first elected to the Assembly in 1973 and a state senator from 1984 until his 2024 retirement, served as acting governor from late 2004 through 2006 after Gov. Jim McGreevey resigned. Tributes from Gov. Phil Murphy, Gov‑elect Mikie Sherrill, Sen. Andy Kim and local officials highlight his work on mental‑health funding, stem‑cell research, smoke‑free indoor air laws, gun safety and substance‑abuse policy, and describe him as a plain‑spoken advocate for vulnerable residents. Essex and Union County leaders noted his reputation for cutting through bureaucracy and his imprint on local institutions, including the Codey Arena named for him in 2005. Funeral and memorial service details will be released by his family in coming days.
📌 Key Facts
- Richard Codey died early Sunday at age 79 after a brief illness, according to a family statement.
- He served in the New Jersey Legislature for about 50 years, becoming the state’s longest‑serving lawmaker, and was governor from late 2004 through January 2006 after Jim McGreevey’s resignation.
- Codey was first elected to the Assembly in 1973, served in the state Senate from 1984 to 2024, and was widely credited with advancing mental‑health funding, stem‑cell research and smoke‑free indoor‑air laws.
📊 Relevant Data
In New Jersey, approximately 1 in 5 families has a loved one with mental illness, based on national prevalence rates applied to the state.
Sen. Codey says 1 in 5 New Jersey families has loved one with mental illness — PolitiFact
New Jersey's stem cell research initiative was projected to result in $11.3 billion in reduced medical costs, $813 million from reductions in lost workdays, and $60.7 billion in avoided premature deaths.
Updated Economic Benefits of the New Jersey Stem Cell Capital Projects and Research Bond Act — Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University
Before New Jersey's Smoke-Free Air Act, locations allowing indoor smoking were significantly more polluted than indoor smoke-free sites and outdoor air, with the Act leading to reduced pollution levels.
New Jersey Air Monitoring Study 2006 Effect of the NJ Smoke-Free Air Act — New Jersey Global Advisors on Smokefree Policy
In New Jersey, young Black males ages 15-34 made up 1.8% of the state's population but accounted for 30% of all gun homicide deaths in 2023.
State Data: New Jersey — Center for Gun Violence Solutions, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
In New Jersey in 2023, drug deaths per 100,000 population were 25.1 times higher among Black (65.3) than Asian (2.6) populations.
State Summaries New Jersey | 2025 Annual Report — America's Health Rankings
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