Donald DiFrancesco

Donald DiFrancesco
51st 1 Governor of New Jersey
In office January 31, 2001 – January 8, 2002
Preceded by	Christine Todd Whitman
Succeeded by	John Farmer, Jr. (acting)
Personal details
Born	Donald Thomas DiFrancesco November 20, 1944 (1944-11-20) (age 67) Scotch Plains, New Jersey
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Diane DiFrancesco
1. As of January 9, 2006, New Jersey law states that an Acting Governor serving for 180 or more days (during a Gubernatorial vacancy) is officially Governor. The new law was applied retroactively to both Richard Codey and Donald DiFrancesco.[1]

Donald Thomas DiFrancesco (born November 20, 1944; Scotch Plains, New Jersey) was the 51st Governor of New Jersey from 2001 to 2002 by virtue of his status as President of the New Jersey Senate, the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature.

Education and early career

DiFrancesco graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor's Degree from Penn State University in business, and was awarded a law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1969.^[2]

Prior to serving in the State Senate, DiFrancesco represented Union County in the New Jersey General Assembly, having been elected in 1976.

Governor

DiFrancesco, a state senator representing the Scotch Plains area, became governor when Christine Todd Whitman resigned from office to join the administration of newly elected President George W. Bush.

At the time of Whitman's resignation, the New Jersey Constitution stipulated that the Senate president retains that position while also serving as acting governor. This made DiFrancesco, in his own words, the most powerful New Jersey governor ever (and perhaps the most powerful governor ever) because he was the leader of both the State Senate and executive branch simultaneously. This distinction was shared by later acting governors John O. Bennett and Richard Codey.

DiFrancesco's title was officially Acting Governor until it was changed retroactively by legislation passed on January 10, 2006.

2001 election

DiFrancesco initially planned to run for a full term as governor in the 2001 election. Democratic Woodbridge Mayor Jim McGreevey and Republican Jersey City Mayor Bret Schundler also sought the governorship. Polls showed DiFrancesco with a commanding lead over the more conservative Schundler in the primary, but trailing McGreevey (although performing better against him than Schundler) with a large number of undecided voters.^[3] DiFrancesco abruptly withdrew from the race in April 2001 after a number of unfavorable news stories emerged concerning his past legal and business dealings. A report in the New York Times suggested that the media criticism took a heavy toll on DiFrancesco, who had never before been subjected to the intense scrutiny of a statewide campaign, and his family, ultimately prompting his withdrawal. Under New Jersey law, a candidate can designate a replacement to appear on the ballot in the event of his/her withdrawal. DiFrancesco designated former Congressman Bob Franks, who had only narrowly lost to Jon Corzine in a 2000 Senate race despite being massively outspent by Corzine in a year in which Democrats gained four seats in the Senate.^[4] However, despite receiving widespread support from the New Jersey Republican establishment, Franks was soundly defeated by Schundler in the Republican primary and went on to lose to McGreevey in the general election by a wide margin.

Approval ratings

An August 7, 2001, Quinnipiac University poll showed Donald DiFrancesco's approval ratings at 54%, but what was remarkable about that poll is that it showed he had a 48% approval rating among Democrats.

Current activities

DiFrancesco presently serves on the Commerce Bancorp board of directors and is a partner in a law firm. He resides with his wife and children in Warren, New Jersey.

In August 2011, there was a feud between New Jersey Governor Christie and New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg over whether DiFrancesco would be invited to the tenth anniversery of the September 11th attacks ceremony in Lower Manhattan, since DiFrancesco was governor during the attacks.

References

1. ^ New Jersey Legislature. P.L.2005, c.282.: Provides title of person who serves as Acting Governor for continuous period of at least 180 days will be "Governor of the State of New Jersey" for official and historical purposes. Approved January 9, 2006, retroactive to January 1, 2001. Accessed January 6, 2008
2. ^ New Jersey Governor Donald T. DiFrancesco, National Governors Association. Accessed August 7, 2007.
3. ^ http://www.nationaljournal.com/members/polltrack/2001/races/gov/nj/nj_g_gen.htm
4. ^ http://www.getnj.com/dondi/timesdifrancescoquits042601.shtml

External links

• New Jersey Governor Donald T. DiFrancesco, National Governors Association

Political offices
Preceded by John A. Lynch, Jr.	President of the New Jersey Senate 1992-2002	Succeeded by John O. Bennett
Preceded by Christine Todd Whitman	Governor of New Jersey January 31, 2001–January 8, 2002	Succeeded by Acting Governor John Farmer Jr.

Persondata
Name	Difrancesco, Donald
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	November 20, 1944
Place of birth	Scotch Plains, New Jersey
Date of death
Place of death