Richard Leone

New Jersey Democrats haven’t had a real statewide primary in eight years – the last time was in 2000, when newcomer Jon Corzine beat former Governor Jim Florio’s South Jersey-based coalition in the U.S. Senate primary by a 58%-42% margin.

In the eleven primaries since Democrats last lost a U.S. Senate race in 1972, eight of them have been virtually uncontested. In 1978, basketball star Bill Bradley beat the establishment choice, State Treasurer Richard Leone, by a 59%-26% margin, with ex-State Sen. Alexander Menza receiving 9%. And in 1982, newcomer Frank Lautenberg won a ten candidate primary with 26% of the vote against former Reps. Andrew Maguire (23%) and Joseph LeFante (20%), and Princeton Mayor Barbara Boggs Sigmund (11%). Six other candidates – businessman Howard Rosen, former state Banking Commissioner Angelo Bianchi, Passaic County Freeholder Cyril Yannarelli, labor leader Frank Forst, Richard McAleer, and Morristown Mayor Donald Cresitello combined for the remaining votes. Cresitello, who is running again this year, finished last with 4,295 votes statewide.

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NEW JERSEY GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY AND REFORM
COMMISSION ISSUES FIRST REPORT

TRENTON

- The New Jersey Commission on Government Efficiency and Reform, which Governor Jon S. Corzine created earlier this year to evaluate the budget, structure and organization of government in New Jersey, released its first progress report, which includes recommendations to overhaul the Office of Information Technology (OIT). Read More >

CHAIRMAN LEONE APPOINTS TASK FORCE TO EVALUATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM

TRENTON – Chairman of the New Jersey Commission on Government Efficiency and Reform (NJGEAR) Richard C. Leone today announced the membership of the Commission’s Higher Education Task Force.

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CORZINE SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER CREATING NEW JERSEY COMMISSION ON GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY AND REFORM

TRENTON – Governor Jon S. Corzine today signed an Executive Order creating the New Jersey Commission on Government Efficiency and Reform to evaluate the budget, structure and organization of New Jersey’s government. The Governor announced his intention to create this commission in his budget address of March 21, when he also announced Richard C. Leone as chairman.

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CORZINE TRANSITION OFFICE OPENED
Transition staff reports for duty;
Launches online resume bank for administration posts

TRENTON - Corzine Transition Chairman Richard C. Leone declared the Office of the Governor-elect - or, the "Transition Office" - officially open for business yesterday. Leone, who earlier this month was tapped by Gov.-elect Jon S. Corzine to lead his transition efforts, also highlighted a newly-launched online resume bank for prospective applicants to the Corzine Administration.

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CORZINE TAPS LEONE FOR TRANSITION
Former Port Authority Chairman served Governors Byrne, Hughes, Kean, and Florio

NEW BRUNSWICK - Governor-elect Jon S. Corzine today tapped former State Treasurer and Port Authority Chairman Richard C. Leone to chair his transition team. Leone is reprising a similar role he served under former Governor Brendan Byrne.

As transition chair, Leone will assist Corzine in establishing an operational infrastructure for his administration and will advise Corzine on candidates for cabinet-level positions. Additionally, Leone and his staff will be of counsel to Corzine on a variety of policy issues - converting Corzine's strategic policy vision into a cohesive tactical agenda for implementing key planks of his Affordability Agenda.

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