Term of the governor

The office of governor is an elected position with a four-year term. There is a two consecutive term limit, with no limitation on non-consecutive terms. The governor of New Jersey is the head of government of New Jersey.

Office and residence

The official residence of the governor is a mansion located in Princeton, New Jersey, and Called Drumthwacket. The governor’s office is located inside of the New Jersey State House in Trenton.

 Role of the governor of New Jersey

The governor performs the executive functions of the state and is not directly subordinate to the federal authorities. The governor assumes additional roles, such as being the Commander-in-Chief of the New Jersey National Guard forces. The voters directly elect the governor to become the political and ceremonial head of the state.

Much like the President of the United States, the governor appoints the entire cabinet. This is subject to confirmation by the New Jersey Senate. Unlike many other states that have elections for some cabinet-level positions, under the New Jersey Constitution, the governor and lieutenant governor are the only ones elected statewide. More importantly, under the New Jersey constitution, the governor appoints all superior court judges and county prosecutors. However, this is done with solid consideration of the preferences of the individual state senators who represent the district where vacancies arise.

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Oath to office

The official oath with which the governor is sworn in is as follows:

 “I, [name of governor], elected governor of the state of New Jersey, do solemnly promise and swear that I will diligently, faithfully and to the best of my knowledge, execute the said office in conformity with the powers delegated to me; and that I will return to the utmost of my skill and ability, promote the peace and prosperity and maintain the lawful rights of the said state. So help me, God.”

Lieutenant governor

The lieutenant governor is the second-highest-ranking official in the state government. He is elected concurrently with the governor for a four-year term. The lieutenant governor of New Jersey is an elected constitutional officer in the executive branch of the state government of New Jersey in the United States. The position itself does not carry any powers or duties other than to be next in the order of succession. However, the state constitution requires that the lieutenant governor also be appointed. This is to serve as the head of a cabinet-level department or administrative agency within the governor’s administration, other than the position of Attorney General.

Candidates for the New Jersey gubernatorial election 2021

Phil Murphy, incumbent Democratic Governor, is running for reelection to a second term. He formally announced his intention to run for a second term on October 1, 2020. Primaries held on June 8, 2021. Murphy, who won the Democratic nomination unopposed after his two primary challengers were disqualified the first time, will face Republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli, Green nominee Madelyn Hoffman, Libertarian nominee Gregg Mele, and SWP nominee Joanne Kuniansky in the general election. 

Jack Ciattarelli, a former member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 16th district (2011–2018) and candidate for governor in 2017, is the Republican nominee.

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