Overview
- Codey died Sunday morning at his home after a brief illness at age 79, his family said in a Facebook statement, which his wife confirmed to the Associated Press.
- His family praised his humility and service and said details on funeral and memorial arrangements will be announced in the coming days.
- He served more than 50 years in the Legislature, entering the Assembly in 1974, joining the Senate in 1982, and leading the chamber as president from 2002 to 2010.
- As Senate president, he became New Jersey’s 53rd governor following Jim McGreevey’s 2004 resignation and also briefly assumed gubernatorial duties in 2002 and during Jon Corzine’s 2007 recuperation, under the succession rules then in place.
- He championed mental-health care, supported an indoor smoking ban and stem cell research, and was widely lauded Sunday by officials and colleagues for a legacy of pragmatic, people-focused leadership.