ROSELAND, NJ — Richard J. Codey, the quintessential “happy warrior” of New Jersey politics whose record-breaking 50-year career in the State Legislature was marked by landmark mental health reforms and a 14-month tenure as governor, died Sunday morning. He was 79.
His family announced his passing in a Facebook statement, noting that the former governor died peacefully at home following a brief illness.
“Our family has lost a beloved husband, father, and grandfather—and New Jersey lost a remarkable public servant who touched the lives of all who knew him,” the statement read. “He spoke the truth when others wouldn’t and fought tirelessly for the people of New Jersey during his record-setting 50 years in the Legislature.”
The “Accidental Governor” Who Restored Trust
Though he spent most of his life in the halls of the State House in Trenton, Codey is perhaps best remembered for his steady hand during one of the most tumultuous periods in New Jersey history.
In November 2004, following the sudden resignation of Governor James E. McGreevey amid scandal, Codey—then the Senate President—ascended to the governorship. Unlike his predecessor, Codey chose not to move his family into the governor’s mansion at Drumthwacket, famously stating he didn’t want to live “above a museum.” Instead, he continued to coach his son’s youth basketball team, maintaining an “average Joe” persona that endeared him to a cynical public.
His 14-month term was prolific. He signed the first legislative moratorium on the death penalty in the nation, increased the state minimum wage, and enacted the Smoke Free Air Act, which banned smoking in indoor public spaces. He left the governor’s office in 2006 with an approval rating exceeding 70%, a rarity in Garden State politics.
A Half-Century in the State House
Codey’s legislative journey was a masterclass in political longevity. First elected to the General Assembly in 1973 at the age of 26, he was then the youngest person ever elected to the body. He moved to the State Senate in 1982, eventually becoming Senate President in 2002.
His tenure spanned:
- 50 continuous years in the Legislature (1974–2024).
- Two stints as Acting Governor and one full term as the state’s 53rd Governor.
- 14 months as Governor (2004–2006).
Codey was a master of the “back-room negotiation,” preferring direct deals and handshakes over grand ideological statements. His political career was rooted in his family’s funeral home business in Orange, NJ—a background he often credited with giving him a unique perspective on the human condition and the needs of his constituents.
Undercover Advocate: The Marlboro Mission
While Codey was a skilled politician, his true passion was mental health advocacy. In a move that earned him national headlines, Codey once went undercover at Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital.
Disguising himself as a man with a criminal record and a history of mental illness, he secured a job at the facility to witness the conditions firsthand. He discovered systemic patient abuse and neglect, leading to a total overhaul of the state’s psychiatric hospital system and the implementation of mandatory criminal background checks for hospital employees.
Later in life, he and his wife, Mary Jo Codey, founded the Codey Fund for Mental Health. Together, they worked to destigmatize mental illness and postpartum depression, a cause Mary Jo championed through her own public struggles with the condition.
The Final Primary and Retirement
In August 2023, Codey surprised the political world by announcing his retirement from the Senate. The decision came shortly after he won a grueling, redistricting-induced primary against fellow incumbent Senator Nia Gill—a race he won with 47% of the vote to Gill’s 43%.
“Why? Because it’s time,” Codey said at the time. “Time to step aside and watch the next generation do their thing.”
His retirement in January 2024 marked the end of the longest legislative tenure in New Jersey history.
Tributes Pour In
Upon the news of his death, political leaders from across the aisle offered tributes to the man often called “Dick.”
Governor Phil Murphy, who recently signed legislation designating the Governor Richard J. Codey Welcome Center at the State House, called him a “giant of New Jersey history.”
“Dick Codey was the best of us,” Murphy said in a statement. “He led with a rare combination of humor and heart. Whether he was fighting for a $200 million mental health trust fund or just checking in on a neighbor, he never forgot where he came from.”
Richard Codey is survived by his wife, Mary Jo, and their two sons, Kevin and Christopher. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced later this week.
Other New Jersey Legal and Investigative News
The passing of Governor Codey comes amid a busy week for the New Jersey Attorney General’s office and the state’s legal community:
- Trenton Ethics Probe: Following the template set by Codey’s own ethics reforms, current state investigators have launched a fresh probe into municipal contract steering in three Essex County townships.
- Mental Health Funding Increase: In an ironic bookend to Codey’s legacy, the state legislature is currently debating a 12% increase in community-based mental health funding for the 2026 fiscal year, citing the “Codey Standard” for patient care.
- Minneapolis ICE Investigation Update: New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin joined a multi-state amicus brief today, demanding federal transparency regarding the January 7 ICE shooting in Minneapolis. The brief argues that federal “absolute immunity” cannot be used to block state-level criminal investigations into the loss of civilian life.