The Governors of New Jersey: Biographical Essays (Rivergate Regionals)

Rogues, aristocrats, and a future U.S. president. These and other governors are portrayed in this revised and updated edition of the classic reference work on the chief executives of New Jersey. Editors Michael J. Birkner, Donald Linky, and Peter Mickulas present new essays on the governors of the last three decades—Brendan T. Byrne, Thomas Kean, James Florio, Christine Todd Whitman, Donald DiFrancesco, James McGreevey, Richard Codey, and Jon Corzine. The essays included in the original edition are amended, edited, and corrected as necessary in light of new and relevant scholarship. The authors of each governor’s life story represent a roster of such notable scholars as Larry Gerlach, Stanley Katz, Arthur Link, and Clement Price, as well as many other experts on New Jersey history and politics. As a result, this revised edition is a thorough and current reference work on the New Jersey governorship—one of the strongest in the nation. Also of Interest: New Jersey Politics and Government The Suburbs Come of Age Fourth Edition Barbara G. Salmore with Stephen A. Salmore 978-0-8135-6139-4 paper $34.95 A volume in the Rivergate Regionals Collection Me, Governor? My Life in the Rough-and-Tumble World of New Jersey Politics Richard J. Codey 978-0-8135-5045-9 cloth $24.95 The Life and Times of Richard J. Hughes The Politics of Civility John B. Wefing 978-0-8135-4641-4 cloth $32.50 Governor Tom Kean From the New Jersey Statehouse to the 911 Commission Alvin S. Felzenberg 978-0-8135-3799-3 cloth $29.95

Long before Bill Clinton spoke of "triangulation," a term that referred to a centrist governing style, prior to Tony Blair repositioning the British Labor Party midway between Thatcher conservatism and militant trade unionism, and far ahead of George W. Bush referring to his agenda as "compassionate conservatism," there was Tom Kean. From the moment of his election to the New Jersey state assembly in 1967, through his guidance of the 9/11 Commission nearly three decades later, Kean consistently displayed a knack for bipartisan leadership.

In this first political biography of one of the nation's most popular and successful governors, Alvin S. Felzenberg tells the story of a remarkable career that culminated in an unexpected and crucial contribution to the country-chairmanship of the 9/11 Commission. Felzenberg describes how, early in his political career, Kean worked to transform New Jersey's legislature in the aftermath of court rulings that mandated redistricting in accordance with the "one man, one vote" principle. He discusses Kean's efforts to relieve the urban crisis that followed in the wake of the 1967 Newark riots. He relates how Kean was able to use the New Jersey governorship-purportedly the strongest in the country-to transform a so-called "rust belt" state into a leader in education, environmental responsibility, and economic growth.

Kean's successes in these and other areas caused leaders outside New Jersey to follow in his path. Together with his fellow governors, Kean forged a national consensus on domestic policy between Democratic congresses and Republican presidents, in the process winning for himself a leadership role in his own party. Kean's story serves as an uncommon case of how a Republican loyal to the historic roots and principles of his party can not only win election in a "blue state" but effectively govern it.

Starting from the example the governor set on the state level, Felzenberg's account traces Kean's career to positions of trusted authority on the national stage. After several years of advising presidents, Kean was appointed chairman of the 9/11 Commission. In this role, he made the bipartisan, Congressionally mandated commission one of the most successful in American history.

Drawing on interviews with Kean as well as with state and national leaders, including former presidents Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton and former New York City mayor Ed Koch, Felzenberg not only provides a marvelous biography, but also offers a unique look at American politics during the last four decades of the twentieth century.

About the Author:

Alvin S. Felzenberg was Principal Spokesman for the 9-11 Commission and for its non-profit successor organization, the 9-11 Public Discourse Project. More recently, he was a fellow at the Institute of Politics at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Felzenberg held several senior level posts on Capitol Hill, served in two presidential administrations, and, in the 1980's, was New Jersey's Assistant Secretary of State. His writings have appeared in the Washington Post, Philadelphia Inquirer, Boston Globe, Weekly Standard, Christian Science Monitor and other publications and he has been a guest on major public affairs television and radio broadcasts, including CNN, Fox News, C-SPAN, and National Public Radio. Felzenberg holds a Ph.D. in Politics from Princeton University and an M.A. and B.A. from Rutgers University.

The Colony -- Philip Carteret (east New Jersey, 1665-82) -- Edmund Andros (east And West New Jersey, 1674-81, 1688-89) -- Edward Byllynge (west New Jersey, 1680-87) -- Robert Barclay (east New Jersey, 1682-90) -- Daniel Coxe (west New Jersey, 1687-92) -- Andrew Hamilton (east And West New Jersey, 1692-98, 1699-1703) -- Jeremiah Basse (east And West New Jersey, 1698-99) -- Edward Hyde, Lord Cornbury (1703-8) -- John Lovelace (1708-9) -- Richard Ingoldesby (1709-10) -- Robert Hunter (1710-20) -- William Burnet (1720-28) -- John Montgomerie (1728-31) -- William Cosby (1732-36) -- Lewis Morris (1738-46) -- Jonathan Belcher (1747-57) -- Francis Bernard (1758-60) -- Thomas Boone (1760-61) -- Josiah Hardy (1761-63) -- William Franklin (1763-76) -- The Constitution Of 1776 -- William Livingston (1776-90) -- William Paterson (1790-93) -- Richard Howell (1793-1801) -- Joseph Bloomfield (1801-2, 1803-12) -- Aaron Ogden (1812-13) -- William S. Pennington (1813-15) --^ Mahlon Dickerson (1815-17) -- Isaac H. Williamson (1817-29) -- Peter D. Vroom (1829-32, 1833-36) -- Samuel L. Southard (1832-33) -- Elias P. Seeley -- Philemon Dickerson (1836-37) -- William Pennington (1837-43) -- Daniel Haines (1843-45, 1848-51) -- The Constitution Of 1844 -- Charles C. Stratton (1845-48) -- George F. Fort (1851-54) -- Rodman M. Price (1854-57) -- William A. Newell (1857-60) -- Charles S. Olden (1860-63) -- Joel Parker (1863-66, 1872-75) -- Marcus L. Ward (1866-69) -- Theodore F. Randolph (1869-72) -- Joseph D. Bedle (1875-78) -- George B. Mcclellan (1878-81) -- George C. Ludlow (1881-84) -- Leon Abbett (1884-87, 1890-93) -- Robert S. Green (1887-90) -- George T. Werts (1893-96) -- John W. Griggs (1896-98) -- Foster M. Voorhees (1898-1902) -- Franklin Murphy (1902-5) -- Edward C. Stokes (1905-8) -- John F. Fort (1908-11) -- Woodrow Wilson (1911-13) -- James F. Fielder (1913-17) -- Walter E. Edge (1917-19, 1944-47) -- Edward I. Edwards (1920-23) --^ George S. Silzer (1923-26) -- A. Harry Moore (1926-29, 1932-35, 1938-41) -- Morgan F. Larson (1929-32) -- Harold G. Hoffman (1935-38) -- Charles Edison (1941-44) -- The Constitution Of 1947 -- Alfred E. Driscoll (1947-54) -- Robert B. Meyner (1954-62) -- Richard J. Hughes (1962-70) -- William T. Cahill (1970-74) -- Brendan Byrne (1974-82) -- Thomas H. Kean (1982-1990) -- James Florio (1990-1994) -- Christine Todd Whitman (1994-2001) -- Donald T. Difrancesco (2001-2002) -- James Mcgreevey (2002-2004) -- Richard J. Codey (2004-2006) -- John Corzine (2006-2010). Edited By Michael J. Birkner, Donald Linky, And Peter Mickulas. Revised Edition Of: The Governors Of New Jersey, 1664-1974 : Biographical Essays / Edited By Paul A. Stellhorn, Michael J. Birkner. Trenton : New Jersey Historical Commission, 1982. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 379-391) And Index. "Over a long and successful career in politics, Tom Kean has shown himself a highly successful political leader. Through his ability to work with the opposition party while retaining the loyalty of his own, Kean was able to achieve extraordinary results in multiple roles. From his election to the New Jersey state assembly in 1967 through his guidance of the 9-11 Commission more than three decades later, Kean has displayed political dexterity as well as an uncanny knack for bipartisan leadership at times of deep partisan divisions." "In this first political biography of one of the nation's most popular and successful governors, Alvin S. Felzenberg tells the story of a remarkable career that culminated in an unexpected and crucial contribution to the country - chairmanship of the 9-11 Commission. Felzenberg describes how, early in his political career, Kean worked to transform New Jersey's legislature in the aftermath of court rulings that mandated redistricting in accordance with the "one man, one vote" principle. He relates how Kean was able to use the New Jersey governorship - purportedly the strongest in the country - to transform a so-called "rust belt" state into a leader in education, environmental responsibility, and economic growth. Kean's story serves as an uncommon case of how a Republican loyal to the historic roots and principles of his party can not only win election in a "blue state" but also effectively govern it." "Drawing on interviews with Kean as well as with state and national leaders, including former presidents Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton and former New York City mayor Ed Koch, Felzenberg provides a unique look at American politics during the last four decades of the twentieth century."--Jacket The Life and Times of Richard J. Hughes explores the influential public service of this two-term New Jersey governor. He was the only person in New Jersey history to serve as both governor and chief justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court. This biography illuminates the governor's accomplishments between 1962 and 1970, including the creation of the Hackensack Meadowlands Commission, formation of the county college system, establishment of stringent antipollution laws, design of the public defender system, and the adoption of a New Jersey sales tax, as well as his pivotal role during the Newark riots. As chief justice, Hughes faced difficult issuesùschool funding, low and moderate income housing needs, freedom of speech, and his decision in the rightto-die case involving Karen Ann Quinlan. With a career characterized by liberal activism, Hughes also contributed nationally and internationally, from serving as host of the 1964 Democratic National Convention to monitoring elections in South Vietnam. John B. Wefing's research includes interviews with prominent politicians and leaders who worked with Hughes at various points in his career. The result is a rich story of a public servant who possessed a true ability to work with members of both political parties and played a significant role in shaping modern New Jersey. And so, a new chapter in the life of Richard J. Codey, an undertaker's son born and bred in the Garden State, began on the night of August 12, 2004--he knew from that point his life would never be the same . . . and it hasn't been. His memoir is a breezy, humorous, perceptive, and candid chronicle of local and state government from a man who lived among political movers and shakers for more than three decades. Codey became governor of New Jersey, succeeding James McGreevey, who resigned following a homosexual affair--a shattering scandal and set of circumstances that were bizarre, even for the home state of the Sopranos. At once a political autobiography, filled with lively, incisive anecdotes that record how Codey restored respectability and set a record for good politics and good government in a state so often tarnished, this is also the story about a man and his family.

The Life and Times of Richard J. Hughes explores the influential public service of this two-term New Jersey governor, the only person in New Jersey history to serve as both governor and chief justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court. John B. Wefing's research includes interviews with prominent politicians and leaders who worked with Hughes at various points in his career. The result is a rich story of a public servant who possessed a true ability to work with members of both political parties and played a significant role in shaping modern New Jersey.

Me, Governor? is a chronicle of local and state government from a man who lived among political movers and shakers for more than three decades. Richard J. Codey succeeded James McGreevey who resigned as governor of New Jersey following a homosexual affair. At once a political autobiography, filled with lively, incisive anecdotes that record how Codey restored respectability and set a record for good politics and good government in a state so often tarnished, this is also the story about a man and his family. Offeris A Comprehensive Overview Of New Jersey Politics And Government, Chapters Cover The States Political History; Campaigns And Elections; Interest Groups; The Constitution; The Development Of Government Institutions; Relationships With Neighboring States, The Federal Government, And Its Own Municipalities And Counties; Tax And Spending Policies; Education; And Quality Of Life Issues. Barbara G. Salmore With Stephen A. Salmore. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Mcgreevey's Gay, I'm The New Governor -- The Undertaker's Son : Death And Politics Go Together -- The Give-and-take Of Politics -- Mary Jo : Love At First Site -- Family -- Sports In My Life -- Politics Gets Very Dirty -- My Crusade On Behalf Of The Mentally Ill -- State Senate President -- Governor, Not Acting Governor -- Keeping Nfl Football In New Jersey -- Bowing Out As Governor -- The Past...and The Future? Richard J. Codey With Stephen Seplow. Includes Index. This fourth edition is thoroughly updated to reflect the challenges New Jersey has overcome and those it continues to face: sustaining growth and opportunity in a multicultural society, providing quality education, and protecting the environment. State politics and government have been almost entirely reshaped in recent decades, and those changes are analysed in every chapter of this edition. A political biography of the former New Jersey governor documents his political career, from his election to the state assembly, through his terms as govenor, to his role as chairman of the 9/11 Commssion.