The Official Web Site for The State of New Jersey | A History of New Jersey Governors
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Foster M. Voorhees 1899-1902 Served in the NJ Senate from 1895-1898. As President of the Senate, he became acting governor in 1898 when John W. Griggs resigned and again as an elected governor in 1899. He was a NJ delegate to the 1900 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia. Voorhees Township and State Park are named in his honor. |
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Franklin Murphy 1902-1905 At age 16, Murphy enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War and quickly rose in rank to first lieutenant. In addition to Governor, his political career included Chairman of the National Republican Committee and service in the New Jersey General Assembly. He also founded the Murphy Varnish Company in Newark, NJ. |
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Edward C. Stokes 1905-1908 Champion of environmental conservation legislation. Stokes State Forest is named in his honor. |
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John Franklin Fort 1908-1911 Reformer made significant progress in labor issues and railroad taxation. Enforcer of anti-liquor and gambling laws. |
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Woodrow Wilson 1911-1913 Left Governor’s Office early to become 28th President of the United States. Led the country during World War 1. Founded League of Nations. |
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James F. Fielder 1914-1917 Served in the NJ General Assembly and NJ Senate before assuming the position of Acting Governor when Woodrow Wilson became the President of the United States in 1913. Fielder was elected to a full term as Governor in 1914. |
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Walter Evans Edge 1917-1920 and 1944-1947 Governed during both World Wars. Promoted legislation to create post-war jobs and provide benefits to soldiers. Supporter of state constitution reform. |
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Edward I. Edwards 1920-1923 As President and chairman of the board of directors of the First National Bank of Jersey City, Edwards was elected to the State Senate in 1918. After his term as Governor, Edwards served as a U.S. Senator from 1923 – 1929. |
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George S. Silzer 1923-1926 Prior to his term as Governor, Silzer served in the New Jersey Senate from 1907-1912. After his term as Governor, Silzer was appointed Chairman of the New York Port Authority. |
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A. Harry Moore 1926-1929, 1932-1935, 1938-1941 NJ’s only 3-term governor promoted programs to help handicapped children. Guided the state through the Great Depression. |
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Morgan F. Larson 1929-1932 The engineer-turned-politician played a key role in the construction of the Lincoln Tunnel, George Washington Bridge, Outerbridge Crossing and Goethals Bridge. |
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Harold G. Hoffman 1935-1938 Hoffman fought in both World Wars. He held several public offices such as; City Treasurer of South Amboy, NJ General Assembly, Mayor of South Amboy, member of the U.S. House of Representatives, State Motor Vehicle Commissioner until he became Governor in 1935. |
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Charles Edison 1941-1944 Son of Thomas Edison. Secretary of the Navy under FDR. Took on political boss Frank Hague. Promoted state constitution revision. |
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Alfred E. Driscoll 1947-1954 Reorganized government and was committed to civil rights. The New Jersey Turnpike and the Walt Whitman Bridge were opened under his administration. |
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Robert B. Meyner 1954-1962 Promoted rigid law enforcement and the exposure of crime and corruption. Increased state aid to education and was committed to open government. |
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Richard J. Hughes 1962-1970 Oversaw enactment of air and water pollution control laws and installed a public defender system in NJ. Eventually served as chief justice of the state supreme court. |