Richard Codey

Richard James Codey (November 27, 1946 – January 11, 2026) was an American politician who served as the 53rd governor of New Jersey from 2004 to 2006. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the New Jersey Senate from 1982 to 2024 and as the President of the Senate from 2002 to 2010. He represented the 27th Legislative District, which covered the western portions of Essex County and the southeastern portion of Morris County. Codey is the longest-serving state legislator in New Jersey history, having served in the New Jersey Legislature continuously from January 8, 1974, to January 9, 2024.

Richard James Codey (November 27, 1946 – January 11, 2026) was an American politician who served as the 53rd governor of New Jersey from 2004 to 2006. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the New Jersey Senate from 1982 to 2024 and as the President of the Senate from 2002 to 2010. He represented the 27th Legislative District, which covered the western portions of Essex County and the southeastern portion of Morris County. Codey is the longest-serving state legislator in New Jersey history, having served in the New Jersey Legislature continuously from January 8, 1974, to January 9, 2024. ==Early life and education== Codey was born on November 27, 1946, in Orange, New Jersey, where his family owned a funeral home. He attended Our Lady of the Valley High School and transferred to Orange High School before switching to Oratory Preparatory School in Summit, from which he graduated. Codey took over his father's job as a licensed funeral director. When his father, Donald, became the county coroner, Codey was drafted to help with death scene pickups. Codey remembered, "I was 14, taking bodies out of train wrecks. You grow up quick". In 1981, he earned a bachelor's degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. ==Personal life and death== Codey was married to Mary Jo Codey. The Codeys had two sons together, Kevin and Chris. Codey died at his home in Roseland, New Jersey, on January 11, 2026, at the age of 79 following a brief illness. ==Legacy== In 2005, South Mountain Arena ice rink, located next to Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, New Jersey, was renamed to Richard J. Codey Arena in his honor. ==References== ==External links== Richard Codey's 2011 Campaign web page New Jersey legislative web page, New Jersey Legislature New Jersey Legislature financial disclosure forms 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 New Jersey Governor Richard J. Codey, National Governors Association New Jersey Senate Democrats Website Biography New Jersey Voter Information Website 2003 |- |- |- |-

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