Donald DiFrancesco
Donald DiFrancesco | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 20, 1944 Scotch Plains, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, Lawyer |
| Years active | 1975–2002 |
| Known for | 51st Governor of New Jersey, President of the New Jersey Senate |
Donald Thomas DiFrancesco (born November 20, 1944) is a former American politician who held the position of the 51st governor of New Jersey from 2001 until 2002. He assumed office following the resignation of Christine Todd Whitman, who left to head the Environmental Protection Agency. A member of the Republican Party, DiFrancesco also served as President of the New Jersey Senate for a decade, from 1992 to 2002.
Education and early career
A native of Scotch Plains, New Jersey, DiFrancesco completed his high school education at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, where he was elected senior class president. He obtained a Bachelor's degree in business from Penn State University in 1966 and earned his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1969. Subsequently, he took on the role of Municipal Attorney for Scotch Plains.
New Jersey Legislature
In 1975, DiFrancesco secured election to the New Jersey General Assembly after winning a competitive Republican primary against former Assemblyman Arthur Manner by a margin of 1,067 votes. He then defeated incumbent Democratic Assemblywoman Betty Wilson (New Jersey politician) by 2,387 votes and was re-elected in 1977 with a lead of 4,709 votes.
Following the resignation of Republican State Senator Peter J. McDonough, DiFrancesco won a special election in 1979 for that Senate seat. He first prevailed over Assemblyman William J. Maguire at the Union County Republican Convention and then defeated Springfield Mayor Joanne Rajoppi by 6,917 votes in the general election. He maintained his Senate seat through re-elections in 1981, 1983, 1987, 1991, 1993, and 1997.
After the elections in 1981, DiFrancesco challenged established leadership customs by successfully becoming Senate Minority Leader, overcoming James P. Vreeland (R-Towaco), who had been Assistant Minority Leader. Although his attempt to lead Republicans to Senate control in 1983 was unsuccessful, he served nearly three years as Minority Leader before being succeeded by S. Thomas Gagliano in January 1985. When Republicans gained the majority in the 1991 elections, DiFrancesco used a similar leadership approach to defeat Minority Leader John H. Dorsey, ascending to Senate President.
Governor
As a state senator representing Scotch Plains, DiFrancesco became acting governor when Republican Governor Christine Todd Whitman resigned to accept a position within President George W. Bush's administration.
At that time, under the provisions of the New Jersey Constitution, the Senate president concurrently fulfilled the role of acting governor, thereby making DiFrancesco both the legislative leader and executive head of state. He characterized himself as the most powerful governor New Jersey had ever seen—a status later shared by acting governors such as Robert E. Littell, John O. Bennett, and Richard Codey.
His official designation remained Acting Governor until legislation enacted in 2006 retroactively granted full gubernatorial status to anyone serving more than 180 days after January 1, 2001.
2001 election
DiFrancesco intended to seek election for a full term as governor in 2001. His challengers included Democrat Jim McGreevey, then Mayor of Woodbridge, and Republican Jersey City Mayor Bret Schundler. Polling data indicated that DiFrancesco led Schundler among Republican primary voters but lagged behind McGreevey overall, with a significant portion of voters undecided.
In April 2001, DiFrancesco unexpectedly withdrew from the race amid unfavorable media scrutiny concerning his previous legal and business activities. The intense public attention reportedly took a toll on him and his family, leading to his decision to exit the contest. Under New Jersey law, he was permitted to select a substitute candidate for the ballot; he chose former Representative Bob Franks, who had narrowly lost a closely contested U.S. Senate race in 2000 despite being financially outspent.
Although Franks received substantial support from Republican leaders, he was defeated in the primary by Schundler, who subsequently lost decisively to McGreevey in the general election.
Approval ratings
A poll conducted by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute on August 7, 2001, indicated that Donald DiFrancesco held a 54% approval rating, which notably included a 48% approval level among Democratic respondents.
Controversies
Throughout his period as acting Governor and later professional endeavors, DiFrancesco encountered several controversies that received coverage in prominent news media. In 1998, during his time as township attorney for Scotch Plains, he was subject to ethical scrutiny. Additionally, in 1996, a well-known New Jersey developer paid him $225,000 to resolve an unsettled legal judgment.
In 2001, DiFrancesco’s nominee for New Jersey Treasurer withdrew from consideration following allegations involving improper use of expense accounts and personal misconduct at Citibank. In 2007, a sexual harassment lawsuit was filed against him by an employee of a law firm; this matter was resolved through a settlement in 2008.
In 2011, he incurred a $5,800 penalty after returning $4,650 identified as unlawful campaign contributions. Later in 2017, he stepped down from his position as Chair of University Hospital in Newark after it was revealed that he had employed a friend in a no-show role.
Current activities
Presently, DiFrancesco is a member of the board of directors at Commerce Bancorp and works as a partner in a law practice. He resides with his family in Warren Township, New Jersey.
In August 2011, a disagreement emerged between New Jersey Governor Christie and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg concerning whether DiFrancesco should be invited to the tenth anniversary event commemorating the September 11 attacks in Lower Manhattan, given his position as governor at the time of the attacks.