STATE SEN. JON BRAMNICK
“Patricia and I mourn the passing of Michael Aron and share our condolences with his family and friends. In the tumultuous world of New Jersey politics, Michael served as a beacon of truth and fairness. His pursuit of transparency and honest discussion instilled accountability in the officials elected to serve the residents of New Jersey. The passing of Michael Aron leaves a deep void in the New Jersey press corps and an example for the next generation of journalists to follow.”
FORMER SENATE PRESIDENT STEVE SWEENEY
“Michael Aron was a cornerstone of New Jersey’s political reporting. His dedication and integrity set a standard for us all. New Jersey has lost a true legend, and his voice will be missed.”
SENATE MINORITY WHIP ANTHONY BUCCO
“Today is a sad day for New Jersey as we say goodbye to Michael Aron–one of the most prolific, impactful, and respected reporters the Garden State has ever seen. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends during this tough time.”
GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY
“Tammy and I are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend, and the longtime Dean of the State House press corps, Michael Aron.”
“For nearly four decades, Michael shed a bright light on Trenton and kept the people of New Jersey informed on the latest developments in our state government. He was a legend of local media that was greatly admired and respected by leaders across the political spectrum. And his career, which stretched back to the days of Governor Brendan Byrne, helped shape the history of New Jersey for the better.”
“We had the pleasure of knowing Michael personally for more than 20 years. And over the course of our friendship, we were charmed by the very same qualities that endeared him to the people of New Jersey—his intellect, his conviviality, and his passion for journalism.”
“Tammy and I will miss Michael dearly, and we are sending our heartfelt prayers and condolences to his wife Linda and his former colleagues in the press corps.”
FORMER NEWS 12 NEW JERSEY REPORTER ALEX ZDAN
“Michael Aron was an institution by the time I first met him, when I was an up and coming reporter on the Trenton political beat. Despite the hubbub of the news cycle, Michael always made time for friendly banter, or to share his vast institutional knowledge. He was a competitor but never a rival. The state’s political scene, and the public interest, is vastly poorer without him. I’m saddened not just for Michael’s family, but for the political reporters who won’t get a chance to benefit from his wisdom and follow the example of his grace and professionalism. May his memory be a blessing to future journalists.”
ASSEMBLYMAN JOHN DIMAIO
“New Jersey has lost one of its finest. Michael was the epitome of a true journalist— always calm amid the chaos of the day, yet unrelenting in getting the story. His time writing and editing for Rolling Stone sharpened his knack for cutting through the noise. He never settled for simple talking points or spin; he kept pressing until he got the real story. Our conversations, both on and off the record, were moments I truly valued. He will be deeply missed.”
FORMER NEW JERSEY NETWORK EDITOR HARVEY FISHER
“I worked for Michael Aron when he was editor of New Jersey Monthly and I was a contributing writer for the magazine. As time would have it, he later worked for me when I ran New Jersey Network and he was NJN’s political-coverage icon. The paths of two veteran newsmen occasionally passed in the halls of the State House and there would be that silent but knowing nod to one another: Respect.”
NEW JERSEY SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS PRESIDENT P. KENNETH BURNS
“On behalf of the New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists, we offer our thoughts and prayers to the family of Michael Aron, his friends, and all who have been lucky to call him a colleague.
“It is not cliche in this instance to say that he was the gold standard when it comes to covering politics and government in our state. Whether you were just starting your career or are a veteran, he was what every reporter aims to be: accurate, fair and professional.
“For myself, I remember watching his reporting online when I lived in Maryland. They were concise, detailed and informative. It’s clear why he was the dean among the state house press corps.
“The Garden State is a better informed, smarter place thanks to Michael Aron.
“We all will miss him.”
WNET GROUP PRESIDENT & CEO NEAL SHAPIRO
“Few journalists ever garner the widespread level of respect Michael Aron achieved. He earned it with an unbiased, methodical and unwavering investigative style examining the issues, policies and stakeholders affecting state residents. He was one of a kind and will be missed; however his standards and practices live on in the NJ Spotlight News newsroom and continue to inspire our staff today.”
FORMER NEW JERSEY PBS ANCHOR MARY ALICE WILLIAMS
“Michael Aron was a Titan. He was a soft-spoken, hard-hitting journalist who set the standards of integrity and grit for generations of young reporters who aspired to give voice to the issues of our state and to the disparate communities it serves. He was also, and always, a gentleman and a very dear friend. We are all better for the life he lived and deeply saddened by his loss.”
NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS SENIOR MANAGING EDITOR JAMIE KRAFT
“Michael Aron was a tremendous mentor in our newsroom and a shining example of how a serious and often tough reporter could pursue the facts but also be kind. He knew everybody in Trenton and was a walking Rolodex of contacts and facts that we depended on throughout his tenure here. We are proud to carry on the legacy of the ‘Dean of the State House Press Corps’.”
NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS ANCHOR BRIANA VANNOZZI
“Michael Aron will always be remembered for his formidable questions and quick wit. But it’s his warmth, mentorship, and generosity of time that I’ll hold close to my heart. His legacy endures in the countless journalists he’s inspired to pursue the truth. I’m so honored to have called him a colleague and a cherished friend.”
SENATE PRESIDENT NICHOLAS SCUTARI
“Michael Aron’s decades-long dedication to reporting on our state’s political scene was unmatched. His work shaped the public’s understanding and trust in our democratic process. A tremendous loss for journalism and our community.”
FORMER GOVERNOR JAMES E. MCGREEVEY
“Michael Aron of blessed memory was a person of integrity, thoughtful, probing journalist, and epitome of decency. Michael was gifted with quick and incisive sense of humor, encyclopedic knowledge of New Jersey policy and politics, and rigorous mind. Requiescat In Pace.”
STATE SENATOR KRISTIN CORRADO
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Michael Aron. His objective and in-depth coverage of New Jersey politics has kept the public well informed throughout his four decade career covering the statehouse. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”
STATE SENATOR DECLAN O’SCANLON
“Michael Aron was a lovely guy, a class act and a wealth of institutional knowledge of NJ’s politics and policy going back decades. Prayers to his family. And thanks Michael, for helping those outspent challenger candidates have a chance & minority Party legislative members make a difference.”
REP. MIKIE SHERRILL
“Michael Aron was a legend, a dogged reporter, and a mentor to so many journalists in New Jersey. I always loved talking to him. He was a truth seeker who represented the best of the profession. Sending my sincere condolences to Michael’s family, loved ones, and colleagues.”
ASSEMBLY SPEAKER CRAIG COUGHLIN
“Sad to hear report of Michael Aron’s passing. He was a good man and an insightful, thorough, and fair reporter. ‘The Dean of the Jersey Press Corps’ informed and engaged our state with his journalism and entertained us with his gift for storytelling. RIP.”
FORMER STAR-LEDGER REPORTER GUY STERLING
“For years, Michael Aron and I represented the press at the annual summer soccer game held at NJIT to benefit The Star-Ledger’s Greater Newark Fresh Air Fund. I wasn’t that familiar with the game back then and didn’t do much more than run up and down the field for exercise. But Michael was a serious soccer player — from his shirt, shorts, shin guards and cleats to the way he competed. He always brought his A game, just as he did as a reporter. What a terrific person. New Jersey has lost a singular voice but one whose legacy is enormous and likely will never be matched. My condolences to the family. May he rest in peace.”
DEMOCRATIC STATE CHAIRMAN LEROY JONES
“Michael Aron was an institution. He was as synonymous with our state government as the Statehouse Golden Dome and there will never be another like him. Michael was a rock star, both in his early days at Rolling Stone and then as the universally acknowledged Dean of the New Jersey press corps. I knew Michael for many years and I always respected his work because of his great attention to detail and his unwavering tenacity to land the story and inform people throughout our great state about the things that would continue to have a long-lasting impact in a way that pushed aside any semblance of tabloid sensationalism.