Senator Richard J. Codey was selected as Senate President for the 211th Legislative Session beginning January 13, 2004. Senator Codey was Senate Co-President from 2002-2004 and Senate Minority Leader from 1998-2002. He chaired the Senate Health, Institutions and Welfare Committee from 1982 to 1992 and is highly regarded for his tireless work on behalf of the mentally ill and disabled in state institutions and group homes statewide. Several years ago, Senator Codey exposed lax employee hiring standards at state psychiatric hospitals when he assumed the name of a deceased convicted criminal, then applied - and was hired - at Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital. Senator Codey's 'undercover' operation led to the enactment of strict background checks and improved training standards of state psychiatric institutions. Senator Codey was elected to the Assembly in 1973 and reelected three times. He has served in the Senate since 1981. He represents the 27th Legislative District, which includes Caldwell, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Livingston, Maplewood, North Caldwell, Orange, Roseland, South Orange, West Orange and part of Newark. While a member of the Assembly, Senator Codey chaired the State Government Committee for six years and played a central role in the development of New Jersey's Casino Control Act which established the first legal gambling casinos in the country outside of Nevada. Senator Codey graduated from Farleigh Dickinson University. A licensed insurance broker; he is president of the Olympic Agency. Senator Codey is married to the former Mary Jo Rolli. They have two sons, Kevin and Christopher. If Governor Corzine chooses not to seek reelection Codey is widely considered the front-runner for the nomination.

Sponsored Bills 2008-09
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/BillsBySponsor.asp