# New Jersey Senate

The New Jersey Senate is the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. There are 40 legislative districts, representing districts with an average population of 232,225 (2020 figure). Each district has one senator and two members of the New Jersey General Assembly, the lower house of the legislature. Prior to the election in which they are chosen, senators must be a minimum of 30 years old and a resident of the state for four years to be eligible to serve in office.
From 1844 until 1965 (when the Reynolds v. Sims US Supreme Court decision mandated all state legislators be elected from districts of roughly equal population), each county was an electoral district electing one senator. Under the 1844 Constitution, the term of office was three years, which was changed to four years with the 1947 Constitution. Since 1968 the Senate has consisted of 40 senators, who are elected in a 2-4-4 cycle. Senators serve a two-year term at the beginning of each decade, with the rest of the decade divided into two four-year terms. The 2-4-4 cycle was put into place so that Senate elections can reflect the changes made to the district boundaries on the basis of the decennial United States Census. If the cycle were not put into place, then the boundaries would sometimes be four years out of date before being used for Senate elections. Rather, with the varied term, the boundaries are only two years out of date. Thus elections for Senate seats take place in years ending with a 1, 3, or 7 (i.e. next elections in 2027, 2031, and 2033).
Interim appointments are made to fill vacant legislative seats by the county committee or committees of the party of the vacating person (since a constitutional amendment passed on November 8, 1988). The office is on the ballot for the next general election, even if the other Senate seats are not up for election in that year (such as in years ending with a 5 or 9, such as 2009 or 2015). The sole exception to this is if the vacancy occurred within 51 days of the election, in which case the appointment stands until the following general election.

## Composition

| Affiliation | Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) | Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) | Total | |
| Affiliation | Democratic | Republican | Total | Vacant |
| Begin 2018–2020 legislature | 25 | 15 | 40 | 0 |
| End 2018–2020 legislature | 26 | 13 | 39 | 1 |
| 2020–2022 legislature | 25 | 15 | 40 | 0 |
| 2022–2024 legislature | 24 | 16 | 40 | 0 |
| 2024–2026 legislature | 25 | 15 | 40 | 1 |
| Latest voting share | 60% | 37.5% | | |

### List of state senators

| District | Senator | Party | Assumed office | Counties represented | Residence |
| District 1 | Mike Testa | Republican | December 5, 2019 | Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland | Vineland |
| District 2 | Vincent J. Polistina | Republican | November 8, 2021 | Atlantic | Egg Harbor Township |
| District 3 | John Burzichelli | Democratic | January 9, 2024 | Cumberland, Gloucester Salem | Paulsboro |
| District 4 | Paul D. Moriarty | Democratic | January 9, 2024 | Atlantic, Camden, Gloucester | Washington Township |
| District 5 | Nilsa Cruz-Perez | Democratic | December 15, 2014 | Camden, Gloucester | Barrington |
| District 6 | James Beach | Democratic | January 3, 2009 | Burlington, Camden | Voorhees Township |
| District 7 | Troy Singleton | Democratic | January 9, 2018 | Burlington | Palmyra |
| District 8 | Latham Tiver | Republican | January 9, 2024 | Atlantic, Burlington | Southampton |
| District 9 | Carmen Amato | Republican | January 9, 2024 | Ocean | Lacey |
| District 10 | James W. Holzapfel | Republican | January 10, 2012 | Ocean, Monmouth | Toms River |
| District 11 | Vin Gopal | Democratic | January 9, 2018 | Monmouth | Long Branch |
| District 12 | Owen Henry | Republican | January 9, 2024 | Burlington, Middlesex, Ocean | Old Bridge Township |
| District 13 | Declan O'Scanlon | Republican | January 9, 2018 | Monmouth | Little Silver |
| District 14 | Linda R. Greenstein | Democratic | December 6, 2010 | Mercer, Middlesex | Plainsboro Township |
| District 15 | Shirley Turner | Democratic | January 13, 1998 | Hunterdon, Mercer | Lawrence Township |
| District 16 | Andrew Zwicker | Democratic | January 11, 2022 | Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset | South Brunswick |
| District 17 | Bob Smith | Democratic | January 8, 2002 | Middlesex, Somerset | Piscataway |
| District 18 | Patrick J. Diegnan | Democratic | May 9, 2016 | Middlesex | South Plainfield |
| District 19 | Joe F. Vitale | Democratic | January 13, 1998 | Middlesex | Woodbridge |
| District 20 | Joseph Cryan | Democratic | January 9, 2018 | Union | Union Township |
| District 21 | Jon Bramnick | Republican | January 11, 2022 | Middlesex, Morris, Somerset, Union | Westfield |
| District 22 | Nicholas Scutari | Democratic | January 13, 2004 | Somerset, Union | Linden |
| District 23 | Doug Steinhardt | Republican | December 19, 2022 | Hunterdon, Somerset, Warren | Lopatcong |
| District 24 | Parker Space | Republican | January 9, 2024 | Morris, Sussex, Warren | Wantage |
| District 25 | Anthony M. Bucco | Republican | October 24, 2019 | Morris, Passaic | Boonton Township |
| District 26 | Joseph Pennacchio | Republican | January 8, 2008 | Morris, Passaic | Rockaway Township |
| District 27 | John F. McKeon | Democratic | January 9, 2024 | Essex, Passaic | West Orange |
| District 28 | Renee Burgess | Democratic | September 29, 2022 | Essex, Union | Irvington |
| District 29 | Teresa Ruiz | Democratic | January 8, 2008 | Essex, Hudson | Newark |
| District 30 | Robert W. Singer | Republican | October 14, 1993 | Monmouth, Ocean | Lakewood Township |
| District 31 | Angela V. McKnight | Democratic | January 9, 2024 | Hudson | Jersey City |
| District 32 | Raj Mukherji | Democratic | January 9, 2024 | Hudson | Jersey City |
| District 33 | Brian P. Stack | Democratic | January 8, 2008 | Hudson | Union City |
| District 34 | Britnee Timberlake | Democratic | January 9, 2024 | Essex | East Orange |
| District 35 | Benjie Wimberly | Democratic | January 30, 2025 | Bergen, Passaic | Paterson |
| District 36 | Paul Sarlo | Democratic | May 19, 2003 | Bergen, Passaic | Wood-Ridge |
| District 37 | Gordon M. Johnson | Democratic | January 11, 2022 | Bergen | Englewood |
| District 38 | Joseph Lagana | Democratic | April 12, 2018 | Bergen | Paramus |
| District 39 | Holly Schepisi | Republican | March 25, 2021 | Bergen | River Vale |
| District 40 | Kristin Corrado | Republican | October 5, 2017 | Bergen, Passaic | Totowa |

## Committees and committee chairs

Committee chairs for the 2024–2026 Legislative Session are:
* Budget and Appropriations – Paul Sarlo (D-District 36)
* Commerce – Joseph Lagana (D-District 38)
* Community and Urban Affairs – Troy Singleton (D-District 7)
* Economic Growth – Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-District 5)
* Education – Vin Gopal (D-District 11)
* Environment and Energy – Bob Smith (D-District 17)
* Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens – Joe F. Vitale (D-District 19)
* Higher Education – Joseph Cryan (D-District 20)
* Judiciary – Brian P. Stack (D-District 33)
* Labor – Gordon Johnson (D-District 37)
* Law and Public Safety – Linda R. Greenstein (D-District 14)
* Legislative Oversight – Andrew Zwicker (D-District 16)
* Military and Veterans' Affairs – Raj Mukherji (D-District 32)
* Rules and Order – Vacant
* State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation – James Beach (D-District 6)
* Transportation – Patrick J. Diegnan (D-District 18)

## List of Senate presidents

The following is a list of presidents of the New Jersey Senate since the adoption of the 1844 State Constitution:
* 1845–1848: John C. Smallwood, Gloucester
* 1849–1850: Ephraim March, Morris
* 1851: Silas D. Canfield, Passaic
* 1852: John Manners, Hunterdon
* 1853–1856: William C. Alexander, Mercer
* 1857–1858: Henry V. Speer, Middlesex
* 1859: Thomas H. Herring, Bergen
* 1860: Charles L. C. Gifford, Essex
* 1861: Edmund Perry, Hunterdon
* 1862: Joseph T. Crowell, Union
* 1863: Anthony Reckless, Monmouth
* 1864: Amos Robbins, Middlesex
* 1865: Edward W. Scudder, Mercer
* 1866: James M. Scovel, Camden
* 1867: Benjamin Buckley, Passaic
* 1868–1869: Henry S. Little, Monmouth
* 1870: Amos Robbins
* 1871–1872: Edward Bettle, Camden
* 1873–1875: John W. Taylor, Essex
* 1876: William J. Sewell, Camden
* 1877: Leon Abbett, Hudson
* 1878: George C. Ludlow, Middlesex
* 1879–1880: William J. Sewell
* 1881–1882: Garret Hobart, Passaic
* 1883: John J. Gardner, Atlantic
* 1884: Benjamin A. Vail, Union
* 1885: Abraham V. Schenck, Middlesex
* 1886: John W. Griggs, Passaic
* 1887: Frederick S. Fish, Essex
* 1888: George H. Large, Hunterdon
* 1889: George T. Werts, Morris
* 1890: Henry M. Nevius, Monmouth
* 1891–1893: Robert Adrain, Middlesex
* 1894: Maurice A. Rogers, Camden
* 1895: Edward C. Stokes, Cumberland
* 1896: Lewis A. Thompson, Somerset (resigned March 30)
* 1896–1897: Robert Williams, Passaic
* 1898: Foster M. Voorhees, Union (became Acting Governor February 1)
* 1898: William H. Skirm (pro tem), Mercer
* 1899: Charles A. Reed, Somerset
* 1900: William M. Johnson, Bergen
* 1901: Mahlon Pitney, Morris
* 1902: Charles Asa Francis, Monmouth
* 1903: Elijah C. Hutchinson, Mercer
* 1904: Edmund W. Wakelee, Bergen
* 1905: Joseph Cross, Union (resigned March 30)
* 1905–1906: William J. Bradley, Camden
* 1907: Bloomfield H. Minch, Cumberland
* 1908: Thomas J. Hillery, Morris
* 1909: Samuel K. Robbins, Burlington (resigned April 16)
* 1909–1910: Joseph S. Frelinghuysen, Somerset
* 1911: Ernest R. Ackerman, Union
* 1912: John Dyneley Prince, Passaic
* 1913: James F. Fielder, Hudson (became Acting Governor March 1)
* 1913: James A. C. Johnson (pro tem), Bergen
* 1914: John W. Slocum, Monmouth
* 1915: Walter E. Edge, Atlantic
* 1916: William T. Read, Camden (resigned March 29)
* 1916–1917: George W. F. Gaunt, Gloucester
* 1918: Thomas F. McCran, Passaic
* 1919: William N. Runyon, Union
* 1920: Clarence E. Case, Somerset
* 1921: Collins B. Allen, Salem
* 1922: William B. Mackay Jr., Bergen
* 1923: Joseph F. Wallworth, Camden
* 1924: Firman M. Reeves, Cumberland
* 1925: William H. Bright, Cape May
* 1926: Morgan F. Larson, Middlesex
* 1927: Francis B. Davis, Gloucester
* 1928: William A. Stevens, Monmouth
* 1929: Thomas A. Mathis, Ocean
* 1930: Arthur N. Pierson, Union
* 1931: Joseph G. Wolber, Essex
* 1932: A. Crozer Reeves, Mercer
* 1933: Emerson Lewis Richards, Atlantic
* 1934: Clifford R. Powell, Burlington
* 1935: Horace G. Prall, Hunterdon
* 1936: John C. Barbour, Passaic (resigned June 26)
* 1936–1937: Frank Durand, Monmouth
* 1938: Charles E. Loizeaux, Union
* 1939: Robert C. Hendrickson, Gloucester
* 1940: Arthur F. Foran, Hunterdon
* 1941–1942: I. Grant Scott, Cape May
* 1943: George H. Stanger, Cumberland
* 1944: Howard Eastwood, Burlington (resigned August 31)
* 1944: George H. Stanger
* 1945: Frank S. Farley, Atlantic
* 1946: Haydn Proctor, Monmouth
* 1947: Charles K. Barton, Passaic
* 1948: John M. Summerill Jr., Salem
* 1949: David Van Alstyne, Bergen
* 1950: Samuel L. Bodine, Hunterdon
* 1951: Alfred B. Littell, Sussex
* 1952: Harold W. Hannold, Gloucester
* 1953: David Young III, Morris
* 1954: W. Steelman Mathis, Ocean
* 1955: Bruce A. Wallace, Camden
* 1956: Wayne Dumont Jr., Warren
* 1957: Albert McCay, Burlington
* 1958: Richard R. Stout, Monmouth
* 1959: Wesley L. Lance, Hunterdon
* 1960: George B. Harper, Sussex
* 1961: Thomas J. Hillery, Morris
* 1962: Robert C. Crane, Union (resigned January 9)
* 1962: Frank S. Farley
* 1963: William E. Ozzard, Somerset
* 1964–1965: Charles W. Sandman, Cape May
* 1966: John A. Lynch Sr., 7th District
* 1967: Sido L. Ridolfi, 6th District
* 1968: Edwin B. Forsythe, 4B District
* 1969: Frank X. McDermott, 9th District
* 1970–1972: Raymond Bateman, 8th District
* 1973: Alfred N. Beadleston, 5th District
* 1974–1975: Frank J. Dodd, 26th District
* 1976–1977: Matthew Feldman, 37th District
* 1978–1981: Joseph P. Merlino, 13th District
* 1982–1986: Carmen A. Orechio, 30th District
* 1986–1990: John F. Russo, 10th District
* 1990–1991: John A. Lynch Jr., 17th District
* 1992–2002: Donald DiFrancesco, 22nd District
* 2002–2004: John O. Bennett, 12th District and Richard Codey, 27th District (co-presidents, with the Senate split 20-20)
* 2004–2008: Richard Codey, 27th District (resigned January 7, 2008)
* 2008: Bernard Kenny, 33rd District (served January 7 to January 8, after Codey resigned to honor Kenny)
* 2008–2010: Richard Codey, 27th District
* 2010–2022: Stephen Sweeney, 3rd District; he was the longest-serving Senate President.
* 2022–present Nicholas Scutari, 22nd District

## Double dipping

Under a state law that remained in effect until 2008, members of the New Jersey Assembly and Senate were allowed to serve in either chamber, as well as any other government positions they might have held at the time, although those who were still doing so as of 2008 ended up getting "grandfathered":
    Name, Party-County – Second Public Office (names in bold represent state Senators still in both local and state offices as of 2024):
Senators:
* Dana Redd, D-Camden – Councilwoman, Camden
* Nicholas Sacco, D-Hudson – Mayor, North Bergen
* Paul Sarlo, D-Bergen – Mayor, Wood-Ridge
* Robert Singer, R-Ocean – Committeeman, Lakewood
* Brian Stack, D-Hudson – Mayor, Union City
* Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester – Freeholder, Gloucester County

## Special powers
### Senatorial courtesy

Senatorial courtesy is a senate tradition that allows home county legislators to intercede to prevent consideration of a local resident nominated by the governor for a position that requires Senate confirmation. Any of the senators from the nominee's home county can invoke senatorial courtesy to block a nomination, temporarily or permanently, without any obligation to justify the basis of their actions.
Governor Corzine nominated Stuart Rabner on June 4, 2007, to be the next Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, replacing James R. Zazzali, who was nearing mandatory retirement age. Shortly after the nomination, two members of the Senate from Essex County, where Rabner resides, blocked consideration of his confirmation by invoking senatorial courtesy. State Senator Ronald Rice had initially blocked the nomination, but relented on June 15, 2007, after a meeting with the governor. Nia Gill dropped her block on June 19, 2007, but did not explain the nature of her concerns, though anonymous lawmakers cited in The New York Times indicated that the objection was due to Rabner's race and Governor Corzine's failure to consider a minority candidate for the post. Also in June 2007, Loretta Weinberg used senatorial courtesy privileges to hold up consideration of a new term in office for Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli.

### Acting governor

Until 2010, in the event of a gubernatorial vacancy, the New Jersey Constitution had specified that the President of the Senate (followed by the Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly) would assume the role of Acting Governor and retain their role in the Senate (or Assembly). An Acting Governor would then assume the governorship while retaining their role in their house of the legislature.
The lieutenant governor of New Jersey took office for the first time on January 19, 2010, following an election with the governor of New Jersey. The position was created as the result of a constitutional amendment to the New Jersey State Constitution passed on November 8, 2005. While the amendment itself took effect as of January 17, 2006, and made some interim changes to the succession to the governorship, the first lieutenant governor was not elected until November 3, 2009. The President of the Senate now serves as acting governor only in the absence of both the governor and lieutenant governor. For example, Nicholas Scutari became acting governor of New Jersey on June 4, 2022, as both Governor Phil Murphy and Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver were out of state on personal trips. He again became acting governor on July 31, 2023 when Murphy was out of state and Oliver was in the hospital due to an illness, from which she died the following day. Oliver's death led Scutari to serve as acting lieutenant governor until the vacancy was officially filled on September 8, 2023, when Tahesha Way was sworn in.