Statements on Codey’s retirement

George E. Norcross III

“It’s been well-chronicled that Sen. Codey and I didn’t always see things eye-to-eye.  Nonetheless, in his 50 years of service to the citizens of New Jersey, Sen. Codey’s passion and dedication to those most needing his attention is a proud legacy for his career, along with a great sense of humor I admire, even when I was the focus of his barbs.”

Senate Minority Leader Anthony Bucco

“Governor Codey is a valued public servant who has dedicated his career to helping those in need. He has shown incredible passion for the people of New Jersey by taking on many roles within the State government serving in the Legislature and briefly as governor. You can always count on Governor Codey to brighten up a room with his sense of humor. I wish him all the best in retirement and thank him for his service to the people of New Jersey.”

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin

“Governor Richard Codey has spent most of his life serving New Jersey as a dedicated legislator and former Governor. As the longest-serving lawmaker in Trenton, he’s had a tremendous impact on the people of this state. I applaud him for the work he’s done as a mental health advocate and for the efforts he’s made to improve health care. I wish him all of the best as he prepares to begin his retirement.”

State Sen. Vin Gopal

“I congratulate my friend and colleague, Governor Codey, on an incredible career. Governor Codey started talking about and pushing for funding for mental health two decades ago when it was a very unpopular topic to talk about. His efforts and work towards breaking the stigma on mental health as well as beginning the process of having New Jersey invest in mental health funding during his tenure as Governor and Senate President, set the motion across the country. I wish Senator Codey all the best in his retirement from the legislature.”

State Sen. Steve Oroho

“Governor Codey was a man of extraordinary skill as a legislator who served our state with distinction and was New Jersey to the core. He loves our state and the people and places that make it up and used his time in government to try to make it better for everyone. No doubt my colleagues and I in the Senate will fondly remember his humor which he often used to diffuse tense moments. So I welcome Governor Codey in the walk toward retirement from public service as we both begin a new chapter with more family time!”

Rep. Mikie Sherrill

“As the longest serving legislator in New Jersey’s history, Dick Codey dedicated his life to our state. Whether he was fighting for mental health resources for mothers experiencing postpartum depression, stronger gun violence prevention laws to protect communities, or substance abuse treatment and prevention programs, Codey was a leader New Jerseyans could count on in the state assembly, state senate, and as governor. His work to foster youth basketball programs and his decisive action to prioritize public health by banning indoor smoking moved our state and its future forward.

“When I first ran for public office, there were many who thought my chances of winning were slim. But there were a few key people who believed in me from the beginning, and Dick Codey was one of those people. Over the past few years, I’ve had the pleasure of calling Dick a mentor, a friend, and a key partner in fighting for the policies we all care about. His presence will be missed in Trenton and I wish him the very best in his retirement.”

Bergen County Executive James Tedesco

“I would like to offer a heartfelt congratulations to my good friend Governor Richard “Dick” Codey on his retirement. For fifty years, Governor Codey worked every single day to make New Jersey a better place to live, work, and raise a family. His accomplishments, which are numerous, range from breaking down the stigma of seeking out mental health services while also improving their administration across the state, to leading the ban on indoor smoking, to negotiating the deal to keep the Jets and Giants in Bergen County.

He is the type of leader you could always count on, someone who would always tell it to you straight. I have had the pleasure of knowing Dick for many years as a friend and colleague, and I even had the honor of being sworn-in by him when I was Mayor of Paramus (during a raging blizzard), and then again when I was elected as County Executive.

Thank you, Governor for your service to New Jersey, and congratulations again on a well-earned retirement.”

Attorney General Matt Platkin

“Governor Codey is the quintessential New Jersey public servant. He has been a fighter for the people of our state for a half century – as a staunch champion for individuals with mental illness, as a leader who made our communities and schools safer, and as a stable, steady hand when the State needed it. Through a half century of service, he always looked out for the people who put him in office and he always stayed true to himself – including his unique sense of humor. Public service is about creating a better future for everyone around you. Indeed, at every opportunity, he did just that. I wish him nothing but the best and congratulate him for all he has accomplished in his remarkable 50-year career.”

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez

“It is an indisputable fact that the Garden State is greater because of Dick Codey’s five decades of public service. I had the tremendous honor of serving with him in the New Jersey Senate and know firsthand the kind of leader he is – honest, straightforward and dogged in achieving his vision. His leadership and advocacy on so many issues – from banning smoking indoors to gun control to mental health – has improved the lives of so many New Jerseyans. I was proud to stand with Dick and his wife, Mary Jo, to raise awareness on the important issue of postpartum depression and salute them for their courage in sharing their story to help others at a time when it was not common to do so. But that is Dick Codey – a fighter for what is right and a family man who understands that service comes both inside government and in the community. His years of mentorship and coaching in youth basketball and his love for New Jersey sports has opened doors and taught sportsmanship to generations. On behalf of the nine million people who call New Jersey home, we thank Dick for making his life’s work the betterment of his home state. Nadine and I thank him and wish him happiness in his well-earned retirement.”

U.S. Senator Cory Booker

“New Jersey owes Gov. Codey a huge debt of gratitude for his five decades of service—in the New Jersey Assembly and Senate, and as our state’s 53rd Governor. In fighting to make our state stronger, fairer, and more compassionate, he consistently chose action over doubt, courage over despair, empathy over indifference. With his work on mental health, indoor smoking, stem cell research, gun violence, and much more, he leaves behind a legacy that will be felt by New Jerseyans long after he leaves the halls of government. I’m deeply grateful for Gov. Codey for his service and wish him the best in retirement.”

Senate President Nicholas Scutari 

“Dick Codey is one of the most accomplished state leaders in New Jersey history.  His career of public service is unmatched, with a half-century of dedicated service in the Senate and Assembly, as Senate President and as Governor, where he provided a steady hand of leadership during times of transition.

When I first entered the Senate almost 20 years ago, Dick Codey was a larger than life figure who already had a three decade long career with significant accomplishments. He knew how to get things done and he did it with humility, good humor and a spirit of selfless determination.

He was a pioneer in the recognition and treatment of mental health conditions at a time when the issue was not openly discussed, and he demonstrated the courage of his beliefs by going undercover in a state psychiatric hospital to expose mistreatment. He also fought for significant gun safety laws, to track sex offenders and crack down on Internet predators, to protect young athletes from the ill effects of steroids, to pursue medical research with stem cells and to make health care available to the uninsured, among countless additional accomplishments.”

State Sen. Joseph Cryan

“Sad day for New Jersey, and even sadder for the New Jersey State Senate. Codey added class principle, and dignity to public office like no other.  He stood up for our state in the time of crisis in 2004, and numerous times before and after. His voice, advocacy, and commitment is a large part of bringing understanding of the struggles in mental health we all accept today.  His undercover efforts (and terrible disguises) shined the light to change in our institutions of support for mental health. The length of his tenure is reflective of his commitment to his constituents and his principles.  People loved him and rightly so.  In politics, either you enjoy people or you don’t.  Codey does. His Sunday night calls to people are the stories of legends.  Some people earn a legacy over time and forget those coming up.  Some people don’t want newer folks to succeed.  Not Dick Codey; Here is how this works. Here’s an idea for you.  Why don’t we work on this together?  Always a helping hand. A legacy of service, a  legend of an individual.  One story: my Dad was dying in the hospital and not surprisingly, DIck came by. My dad perked up and politics filled the air.  My Dad’s last real political conversation was with Dick Codey and me.  The Codey’s and the Cryans’s: friends forever.  A political life of service.  Well done.”

Roseland Mayor James Spango

“The retirement of Governor Codey from the state legislature will leave shoes that will be immensely difficult to fill.   Governor Codey has left a legacy of tirelessly advocating for those who can not advocate for themselves.  Of all his achievements as a legislator, that in itself, is his greatest accomplishment.  A true measure of a public servant is one who cares for those who can’t care for themselves and Governor Codey epitomized this day in and day out.  The Borough of Roseland and the state of NJ were lucky to have Governor Codey as our friend, representative and advocate.  We wish him all the best in the next chapter of his life.”

Essex County Commissioner Patricia Sebold

“I was shocked to learn today that after 50 years our great Governor/Senator Richard Codey is retiring. I first met Richard Codey when he was an Assemblyman representing a district including Orange, where he lived. Governor/Senator Codey has always been fighting for the people of New Jersey. He has never stopped looking to improve the lives of his constituents. His leadership for mental health issues has always been at the forefront of his efforts. His influence on our State Legislative Body will last forever.”

Essex County Clerk Christopher Durkin

Utility and Transportation Contractors Association (UTCA) Executive Director Dave Rible

“I can think of few people who are leaving behind a more incredible legacy than Dick Codey. His commitment to public service spans 50 years and countless bills that he helped make law that improved the lives of everyday New Jerseyans. He steadied the ship as governor during an uncertain time in our state’s history and led the charge for the widening of the New Jersey Turnpike. Governor Codey was always ready to meet colleagues with a joke, a discussion about a serious topic or, sometimes, both. Perhaps his most lasting legacy, however, will be his commitment to those with mental health issues and ensuring their voices were heard in Trenton.

“We wish Governor Codey all the best in his retirement and thank him for his decades of service to New Jersey.”