Longtime New Jersey lawmaker Richard Codey dies at 79

Richard J. Codey, a liberal Democrat who spent 50 years in the New Jersey Legislature—the longest tenure in state history—and served as governor, died at 79 after a brief illness. A champion for vulnerable communities and mental health advocacy, Codey once went undercover at a psychiatric hospital and later experienced life as a homeless man to highlight issues. He retired in 2023 after a redistricting-related primary, leaving a legacy as one of New Jersey’s most influential and enduring public servants.