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Nicholas Scutari

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Nick Scutari
115th President of the New Jersey Senate
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 11, 2022
Preceded byStephen Sweeney
Member of the New Jersey Senate
from the 22nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 13, 2004
Preceded byJoseph Suliga
Personal details
Born
Nicholas Paul Scutari

(1968-11-18) November 18, 1968 (age 55)
Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationUnion College
Kean University (BA)
Rutgers University, New Brunswick (MEd)
Western Michigan University (JD)
WebsiteState Senate website

Nicholas Paul Scutari[1] (born November 18, 1968)[2] is an American politician and attorney who has served as the 115th president of the New Jersey Senate since 2022. A member of the Democratic Party, he has held a Senate seat since 2004, representing the 22nd legislative district. Scutari has served as Acting Governor of New Jersey on multiple occasions, the first time being in June 2022.

Early life

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Scutari attended Union County College,[3] received a B.A. from Kean University in Psychology, an Ed.M. from Rutgers University in Education and a J.D. from the Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. He is an attorney with the Law Offices of Nicholas P. Scutari.[4]

Political career

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Before his election to the New Jersey Senate, Scutari was a member of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, where he became the youngest freeholder chairman in county history. He served as freeholder chairman in 1999, after serving a year as freeholder vice chairman. Prior to being a freeholder, he served as a member of the board of education of the Linden Public Schools.[4]

New Jersey Senate

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He was nominated for the Senate after Senator Joseph Suliga announced that he would not seek re-election after a female casino employee in Atlantic City accused him of sexual harassment.[5]

Scutari has served on the State Government Committee (as the chair), the Joint State Leasing and Space Utilization Committee, the Commerce Committee and the Judiciary Committee.[4] Scutari held the role of chair of the New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee for the longest period in modern history. He is a former commissioner of the New Jersey Clean Elections Commission. He is also a former vice chairman of the Senate Education Committee. He is President of the New Jersey Senate. Scutari was the chief sponsor of New Jersey's Medical Marijuana law that was signed into law in 2009 and has been an advocate for the effort to legalize marijuana for all individuals over the age of 21.[6] After a bill he introduced failed in 2014, Scutari introduced a bill in May 2017 to legalize, regulate and tax recreational marijuana use; while then-Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie was vigorously opposed to the measure, incoming governor Phil Murphy had announced that he would support legalization.[7]

Committees

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Committee assignments for the 2024—2025 Legislative Session are:[4]

  • Joint State Leasing and Space Utilization Committee

District 22

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Each of the 40 districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly.[8] The representatives from the 22nd District for the 2024—2025 Legislative Session are:[9]

Acting Governor

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On June 4, 2022, Scutari, in his capacity as the Senate president, became acting governor of New Jersey as both Governor Phil Murphy and Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver were out of state on personal trips.[10][11] He became acting governor for 15 days on July 31, 2023, when Murphy was out of state and Oliver was hospitalized for an illness, from which she died the following day.[12][13] With Governor Murphy attending a meeting of the Democratic Governors Association in Colorado in late August 2023, Scutari served in his absence as acting governor for the third time.[14]

In August 2024, while Governor Murphy and Lieutenant Governor Taheshea Way were out of state for the 2024 Democratic National Convention, Scutari passed four bills as acting president, including a bill that raises the cap on attorney fees in workers’ compensation cases from 20% to 25%, as well as another that gives raises to appellate judges and county prosecutors. This raised concerns because Scutari’s law firm works in these cases. Other bills passed included the designation of the interchange between State Highway 42 and Interstate 295 as Ensign John R. Elliott Memorial Interchange; a bill that directs the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs to establish a self-certification program allows architects and engineers to self-certify as design professionals; and a bill that allows members of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System to purchase credit for service as a class two special law enforcement officer.[15][16]

Linden municipal prosecutor

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Prior to his senatorship, Scutari was Municipal Prosecutor for the city of Linden, New Jersey, until he was ousted from the position in January 2019 for absence at court hearings. He contested the report which cited that he did not appear more than 50% of the time and sued the city, the case was settled.[17][18][19]

Family

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In Italy, his cousin Donato Scutari, a member of the Italian Communist Party, was elected Deputy and Senator of the Italian Republic. His uncle, Anthony Scutari, was chair of the Union County Improvement Authority.[20]

Electoral history

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New Jersey Senate

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22nd Legislative District General Election, 2023[21]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Nicholas P. Scutari (incumbent) 23,876 66.2
Republican William H. Michelson 12,189 33.8
Total votes 36,065 100.0
Democratic hold
New Jersey general election, 2021[22]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Nicholas Scutari (Incumbent) 32,044 61.5 Decrease 5.8
Republican William H. Michelson 20,100 38.5 Increase 5.8
Total votes 52,144 100.0
New Jersey general election, 2017[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Nicholas Scutari (Incumbent) 29,563 67.3 Increase 7.8
Republican Joseph A. Bonilla 14,362 32.7 Decrease 7.8
Total votes 43,925 100.0
New Jersey State Senate elections, 2013[24]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Nicholas Scutari (Incumbent) 24,899 59.5
Republican Robert M. Sherr 16,933 40.5
Democratic hold
New Jersey State Senate elections, 2011[25]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Nicholas Scutari (Incumbent) 16,104 61.6
Republican Michael W. Class 10,024 38.4
Democratic hold
New Jersey State Senate elections, 2007[26]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Nicholas Scutari (Incumbent) 14,711 56.9
Republican Rose McConnell 11,139 43.1
Democratic hold
New Jersey State Senate elections, 2003[27]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Nicholas Scutari 16,658 55.0
Republican Martin Marks 13,609 45.0
Democratic hold

References

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  1. ^ "Nicholas Paul Scutari Lawyer Profile on Martindale.com". www.martindale.com.
  2. ^ Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey: 2004 Edition. Lawyers Diary and Manual, LLC. February 23, 1900. ISBN 9781577411871 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ Staff. "Two students at county's college earn free tuition", The Home News, May 4, 1999. Accessed January 24, 2022, via Newspapers.com. "'Higher education is the key to success for our children. Too often, however, a child's academic success is determined by his or her family's financial situation,' said Freeholder Chairman Nicholas P. Scutari, who attended Union County College before graduating from Kean College."
  4. ^ a b c d Senator Nicholas P. Scutari (D), New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 23, 2024.
  5. ^ via Associated Press. "Democrats allowed to substitute candidate -- Union state senator quit after his arrest", The Record, October 4, 2003. Accessed April 11, 2008. "Democratic leaders named Nicholas P. Scutari to replace Sen. Joseph Suliga, D-Union, who dropped out of the 22nd District election race last week to seek treatment for 'an alcohol-related problem.'"
  6. ^ Perez-Pena, Richard. "New Jersey’s Medical Marijuana Law Loses Planned Grower and Dispensers", The New York Times, July 23, 2010. Accessed November 17, 2017. "State Senator Nicholas P. Scutari, a Democrat from Linden who was the other main sponsor, said that Mr. Christie wanted too much control over the program and that the state would have no choice but to approve private growers."
  7. ^ Johnson, Brent. "Bill to legalize recreational marijuana in N.J. set to be unveiled", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, May 14, 2017. Accessed November 17, 2017. "A state lawmaker on Monday is scheduled to unveil the latest piece of legislation that would legalize, regulate, and tax recreational marijuana in New Jersey.... State Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D-Union) will formally announce the Democratic-sponsored measure at a noon news conference at the Statehouse in Trenton.... Scutari, who sponsored New Jersey's medical marijuana law, has been lobbying for the state to legalize recreational pot for years. He introduced a bill in 2014 to legalize and tax marijuana in the state, but it did not advance."
  8. ^ New Jersey State Constitution 1947 (Updated Through Amendments Adopted in November, 2020): Article IV, Section II, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 28, 2022.
  9. ^ Legislative Roster for District 22, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 23, 2024.
  10. ^ Johnson, Brent. "N.J. Senate President Scutari gets first crack at taking over for Murphy as acting gov Saturday", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, June 3, 2022. Accessed March 11, 2024. "It was only six months ago that Nicholas Scutari was suddenly elevated to state Senate president, one of the most powerful positions in New Jersey government.... In a rare situation, Scutari will serve as acting governor of the Garden State on Saturday for the first time as both Gov. Phil Murphy and Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, both fellow Democrats, will be out of state on personal trips."
  11. ^ Johnson, Brent; Arco, Matt (June 5, 2022). "N.J. Senate President Scutari gets first crack at taking over for Murphy as acting gov Saturday". NJ.com.
  12. ^ "Oliver ill, Scutari Serving as Acting Governor". Insider NJ. July 31, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  13. ^ "New Jersey Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver dies at 71 after undisclosed medical issue". WABC-TV. August 1, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  14. ^ Wildstein, David. "Murphy heading to Aspen for DGA event; Scutari will be acting governor", New Jersey Globe, August 26, 2023. Accessed March 11, 2024. "Gov. Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy are leaving for Colorado on Sunday morning to attend a Democratic Governors Association retreat in Aspen. Senate President Nicholas Scutari will serve as Acting Governor until Murphy returns to New Jersey on Tuesday afternoon.... This is his third stint as acting governor this month; gubernatorial powers were transferred to him on July 31 while Murphy was on a family vacation and Oliver’s illness made it impossible for her to perform her duties."
  15. ^ Blackburn, Zach (August 22, 2024). "Acting Governor Scutari acts as governor, signs handful of bills". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  16. ^ Bichao, Sergio BichaoSergio (August 23, 2024). "With Murphy away, acting governor signs NJ laws benefiting lawyers like him". New Jersey 101.5. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  17. ^ NJ.com, Ted Sherman | NJ Advance Media for (October 15, 2019). "Powerful state senator was often a no-show as municipal prosecutor, report charges". nj.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ NJ.com, Rebecca Everett | For (February 23, 2020). "N.J. town's court had 'culture of wrongdoing' led by rogue judge and Sen. Scutari, suit says". nj.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ NJ.com, Ted Sherman | NJ Advance Media for (October 30, 2019). "State senator seeks $10M, charging slander, libel and defamation after being called a 'no-show' by a political rival". nj.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ "Union County Democrat Chairwoman and family are doing very well". March 23, 2006.
  21. ^ "Official List, Candidates for State Senate for GENERAL ELECTION 11/07/2023 Election" (PDF). New Jersey Department of State. December 6, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  22. ^ "Official List, Candidates for State Senate For GENERAL ELECTION 06/08/2021 Election" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. November 30, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  23. ^ "2017-official-general-election-results-state-senate.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 7, 2018. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  24. ^ "Official List Candidates for State Senate For GENERAL ELECTION 11/05/2015 Election" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. December 4, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 4, 2015. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  25. ^ Official List Candidate Returns for State Senate For November 2011 General Election Archived 2012-07-13 at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of State, December 14, 2011. Accessed June 22, 2012.
  26. ^ Official List Candidate Returns for State Senate For November 2007 General Election Archived 2012-08-22 at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of State, December 3, 2007. Accessed June 22, 2012.
  27. ^ "Official List Candidates Returns for State Senate For November 2003 General Election" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. December 2, 2003. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
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New Jersey Senate
Preceded by Member of the New Jersey Senate
from the 22nd district
2004–present 		Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by President of the New Jersey Senate
2022–present 		Incumbent
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