Kean re-elected Minority Leader

Senate Minority Leader Thomas Kean, Jr. was unanimously re-elected to his leadership post today, which will make him the longest-serving legislative leader in New Jersey history.

Kean’s fourteen Republican colleagues announced yesterday that they were supporting him for another term.

His re-election comes as he mounts a bid for Congress against freshman Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-Rocky Hill).

“I’m honored to have the continued support of the Senate Republican caucus as we head into the 2020-2021 legislative session,” said Kean. “Their confidence in me is a reflection of the strong team we have built that is capable of both working across the aisle when common ground can be found and successfully countering the Democratic majorities when they go too far.”

Kean holds the record for the longest consecutive stint in legislative leadership.

He was elected Senate Minority Leader following the 2007 elections, after challenging incumbent Leonard Lance for the post.

Donald DiFrancesco served as Senate Minority Leader from 1982 to 1985 and as Senate President from 1992 to 2002.

“The Legislature has some extremely important work to do in the coming years,” Kean added. “We believe Senate Republican solutions for our property tax crisis will help to stem the flow of families and businesses from the Garden State. Our caucus will continue advocating for our Every Child Counts school funding plan to improve the quality of education for every student, improving New Jersey Transit and critical infrastructure, and pursuing structural reforms to make government more efficient and New Jersey more affordable.”

Kean’s father, former Gov. Thomas Kean, was the Assembly Majority Leader from 1970 to 1972, the Speaker from 1972 to 1974, and the Minority Leader from 1974 to 1977.