New Jersey
Other New Jersey Governors
New Jersey Governors, 1776-Present
List of all New Jersey governors to serve under each of the state's constitutions.
Learn MoreGovernor Richard J. Hughes Collection
The only person in state history to serve as both governor and chief justice of the state supreme court, Richard J. Hughes served two terms as governor of New Jersey (1962-1970). The Hughes Collection includes interview excerpts, information, and analysis of the Hughes administration.
Learn MoreGubernatorial Biographies
In 2014, Rutgers University Press published The Governors of New Jersey: Biographical Essays, with extended biographies of every New Jersey governor. With the publisher's permission, we present in this section biographies of Governors Alfred Driscoll, Robert Meyner, Richard Hughes, and William Cahill.
Learn MoreCommentary by Former Governors
New Jersey governors often stay active in politics even after leaving office, particularly on issues they feel most passionate about. This section collects some of the most prominent examples of gubernatorial commentary after leaving office.
Learn MoreResearch, History, and Analysis
Atlantic City History and Politics
This section includes history, a timeline, images, and reflections on the history of Atlantic City and the rise of casino gambling.
Learn MoreBeach and Ocean Pollution Disaster: The Response of Two New Jersey Governors
This history and analysis of New Jersey’s response to the late 1980’s beach wash up disaster was commissioned by the Eagleton Center. It was written by Edward M. Neafsey who spent over 33 years in public service at the county, state and federal levels.
Learn MoreA Case Study in Reimagining Transit for a Better Region: The Creation of NJ Transit
A report written and produced by the Wathen Group, lead by author Deborah Wathen Finn. The report chronicles the creation of NJ Transit during the Byrne administration, including emphasis on the work of the Department of Transportation and Commissioner Louis Gambaccini.
Learn MoreGovernor Thomas Kean and the Founding of the NJDEP
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding in 2020. At a 2013 Eagleton Center on the American Governor event, Governor Kean reminisced about the role he played in the founding of the department.
Learn MoreGovernor Donald DiFrancesco's 9/11 Address
On October 3, 2001, in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, New Jersey Governor Donald DiFrancesco gave a speech to a join session of the New Jersey legislature. Video of that speech is available here.
Learn MoreUse of Executive Orders by New Jersey Governors
New Jersey governors have issued executive orders for a wide range of purposes, including facilitating routine government operations, responding to crises, and instituting significant policy changes. This section examines the number of orders issued by New Jersey governors under the 1947 Constitution.
Learn MoreThe Governor's Party in Off-Year Elections
This 2011 PDF analyzes how successful New Jersey governors have been in leading their parties in legislative elections held in the middle of their terms.
Learn MoreVoter Turnout in New Jersey Legislative Elections
This PDF compares New Jersey voter turnout rates when ticket is topped by a presidential race, a gubernatorial race, and state legislative races.
Learn MoreWoodrow Wilson and the Election of 1912
Woodrow Wilson was elected president in 1912 after serving only two years as governor of New Jersey. This piece, written in 2011 by former Eagleton Center on the American Governor senior policy fellow Don Linky looks at the unique 1912 election and how it led to Wilson's victory.
Learn MoreWhy Woodrow Wilson Guthrie?
In 2012, the 100th anniversary of Woody Guthrie's birth, Center on the American Governor Director John Weingart considered how the famous musician and activist came to be named after the former New Jersey governor and U.S. president.
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