Gov. Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy are leaving for Colorado on Sunday morning to attend a Democratic Governors Association retreat in Aspen.
Senate President Nicholas Scutari will serve as Acting Governor until Murphy returns to New Jersey on Tuesday afternoon. He is expected to sign some bills prior to Murphy’s return.
Following the death of Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver on August 1, Scutari is next in the gubernatorial line of succession. This is his third stint as acting governor this month; gubernatorial powers were transferred to him on July 31 while Murphy was on a family vacation and Oliver’s illness made it impossible for her to perform her duties. Murphy returned to the state shortly after Oliver’s passing, but then left again to rejoin his family prior to her funeral services.
Murphy is expected to name Oliver’s replacement before the September 15 constitutional deadline. This is a direct appointment that does not require Senate confirmation.
The New Jersey Globe reported earlier this week that Secretary of State Tahesha Way and Commissioner of Transportation Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti have emerged as serious contenders to succeed Oliver.
Murphy is the chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, a predominantly fundraising position. Kentucky, Louisiana and Mississippi are holding gubernatorial elections this year.
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