Gov. Phil Murphy has promoted Tim Hillmann as his principal deputy chief of staff with the intent of making him the clear number two among a group of deputy chiefs of staff after Diane Guttierez-Scaccetti takes over as chief of staff on October 2.
Hillmann has been the deputy chief of staff for government affairs and had been a finalist for the chief of staff post following the announcement that George Helmy would depart at the end of the month.
“Tim has been a key fixture in my office since 2019 and has successfully overseen our legislative affairs, intergovernmental affairs, appointments, and constituent relations teams,” Murphy said. “In his new expanded role, Tim will work under incoming Chief of Staff Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti and have a hand in managing additional departments within our office. I am thrilled to have Tim continue serving on our senior leadership team and advancing the work of our Administration.”
Guttierrez-Scaccetti applauded Murphy’s pick.
“Having worked with Tim in the past, I know he is well-positioned to continue overseeing key government affairs work, while taking on new management responsibilities.”
Hillmann worked as a U.S. Senate staffer for nine years before joining Murphy’s staff in 2019 as appointments director. He became deputy chief of staff following the departure of Mike Delamater in 2021.
He has spent his entire life around government and politics: his father, Fred Hillmann, was the chief political reporter for the Star-Ledger in the 1970s during a long-forgotten era when the state’s elite awoke early on Sunday mornings to read columns written by journalists like Hillmann, Jim McQueeny, and David Wald.
Fred Hillman later served as a top aide to U.S. Senator Bill Bradley and Senate Majority Communications Director. His mother is also well-known in political circles: Tracie DeSarno is a prominent government relations executive.
His current boss, Helmy, said that Hillmann has “played an essential role in successfully managing some of our high-stakes teams, allowing us to build a stronger and fairer New Jersey.”
“I can’t think of anyone better to serve as Principal Deputy Chief of Staff to continue the Murphy administration’s unprecedented run of accomplishments.”