Scutari orders flags lowered in Cafiero’s honor

Acting Gov. Nicholas Scutari has ordered U.S. and New Jersey flags to fly at half-staff on August 14 in honor of former Senate Minority Leader James S. Cafiero (R-North Wildwood), who died on August 3 at age 94.

Flags will be lowered for Cafiero simultaneously with Gov. Phil Murphy’s similar order in remembrance of Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, who died on August 1; flags will fly at half-staff from August 4 to September 4.  It’s not uncommon for flags to be flown in honor of more than one person on the same day.

“Senator Cafiero was a dedicated and exemplary public servant, who served our state with compassion and commitment across five decades, including in both houses of the Legislature,” Scutari stated.   “Senator Cafiero fought to lower prices of prescription drugs, protect New Jersey’s environment and children, promote affordability measures, and advance legislation to address stalking and drunk driving.  He will be remembered not only for his lifetime of public service, but also for his sense of humor and quick wit, his kindness and altruism, and his ability to work across the aisle to advance the public interest.”

Scutari signed five bills into law on Monday, including the designation of cranberry juice as the official state juice.  All politics is local: New Jersey’s cranberry growers produced more than 588,000 barrels in 2022, with an average price of $39.69 per barrel — second in the nation.

He is serving as acting governor until Murphy returns to the state this afternoon.

Cafiero represented Cape May and Cumberland counties in the Assembly from 1968 to 1972, and in the Senate from 1972 to 1982.  He returned in 1990 and served until he retired for the second time in 2004.

Scutari just missed serving with Cafiero, who left the Senate the day the Union County Democrat was sworn in.