page_title: New Jersey in the 21st century
section_title: 2004-2005 Gubernatorial vacancy
hierarchical_section_title: New Jersey in the 21st century / 2004-2005 Gubernatorial vacancy
caption_attribution_description: en:Jon Corzine, Governor and former Senator from New Jersey.
context_page_description: New Jersey in the 21st century has been deeply affected by terrorism and political controversy.
context_section_description: Former Governor James E. McGreevey resigned on November 15, 2004 after charges of pay-to-play and extortion scandals involving the impropriety of the appointment of a homosexual love interest. New Jersey had no Lieutenant Governor position at the time, leaving a vacancy in the office. Senate President Richard Codey served as Acting Governor (then Governor) in McGreevey's place. Jon Corzine was elected Governor of New Jersey on November 8, 2005, and took office on January 17, 2006. On Election Day, November 8, 2005, the voters passed an amendment to the state constitution creating the position of Lieutenant Governor, effective with the 2009 elections. The amendment also provides that in the event of a permanent vacancy in the office of Governor now that Governor Corzine has been sworn in and before the first Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey takes office in 2010, the President of the Senate, followed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, would become Governor (rather than Acting Governor) and will be required to vacate his or her Senate (or Assembly) seat.
caption: Governor Jon Corzine.
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