Richard J. Codey
New Jersey Senate President Richard J. Codey began his career in state government in 1973 when he was elected to the Assembly. He went on to become a Senator in 1982 and while serving as Senate President in 2004 he assumed the governorship when Governor James E. McGreevy resigned before his term expired. Throughout a career in state government that has spanned more than three decades, Senate President and former Governor Richard J. Codey has earned a reputation as an independent thinker and a champion of change to benefit the public good.

Throughout his distinguished career, Codey has become known for his advocacy on behalf of the mentally ill, working tirelessly to improve treatment, care and education for those with mental illness. As governor, Codey continued to bring the struggles of the mentally ill to the forefront of the public's attention. His first official act was to establish the Governor's Task Force on Mental Health to report to him on the direction New Jersey should take in delivering improved services to its mentally ill. During his 14 months as governor, Codey was successful in implementing more than 90 percent of the task force's recommendations, resulting in a dramatic improvement in New Jersey's mental health system.

A long time advocate for children, Codey sponsored the nation's first statewide assault weapons ban and the nation's first childproof handgun law. As Governor, he signed landmark legislation requiring GPS tracking for sex offenders and launched an unprecedented statewide school security audit. Recently he authored one of the strongest package of laws in the nation to crackdown on Internet predators. He has also been a vocal public health advocate, playing an instrumental role in providing affordable and accessible health care, creating a prescription drug assistance program for seniors, funding innovative cancer research programs, and signing the landmark Smoke Free Air Act into law.

Mary Jo Codey
New Jersey former first lady Mary Jo Codey is a devoted wife and mother, a gifted educator and counselor, and a staunch advocate for individuals whose lives are affected by mental illnesses and those who have been stricken with breast cancer. A lifelong resident of New Jersey, Mrs. Codey is married to former New Jersey Governor and Senate President Richard J. Codey.

Born in Glen Ridge, Mrs. Codey grew up in West Orange, where she and her husband currently reside with their two sons, Kevin, a graduate of Drew University and Christopher, a student at Rutgers University. After receiving here Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from Caldwell College, Mrs. Codey continued her pursuit of academic excellence, earning a Master of Arts Degree in Elementary Education with Certification as a Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant (LDTC) from Seton Hall University. She currently teaches basic skills at an elementary school in West Orange.

Mary Jo Codey's personal experiences with both clinical depression and breast cancer make her uniquely qualified to speak out on both of these serious health concerns. As New Jersey's First Lady, she welcomed the opportunity to advocate on behalf of the Governor's newly created Task Force on Mental Health.

Having survived postpartum depression, Mrs. Codey became the face of a statewide educational campaign titled “Recognizing Postpartum Depression: Speak Up When You're Down," sending a clear message to women that they are not alone in their struggles with postpartum depression. The campaign offers evidence based data as well as a 24/7 helpline, local screening and medical resources for women, their families, and healthcare professionals. Mrs. Codey continues to share her story and encourage women to seek treatment during public appearances and while speaking with the media.

Mrs. Codey has also traveled to Washington, D.C. to lobby alongside members of Congress for federal legislation to treat and research postpartum depression.

She is also a former member of the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Association of Essex County, and she helped pioneer a post-partum depression support group at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. Because of these many efforts, she and her husband have been honored by numerous mental health organizations for their tireless advocacy.

Mrs. Codey also helped launch a statewide fundraising campaign in support of breast cancer awareness. Having lost her mother to breast cancer and being a breast cancer survivor herself, Mrs. Codey stressed the importance of early detection.

Throughout the years, Mary Jo Codey has been an enthusiastic volunteer, staying active in her sons' lives as a Cub Scout Den Mother and a member of the school Parent Teacher Associations. She is also an active member of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA).

While First Lady, Mrs. Codey assumed the role as Ambassador to the Governor's Book Club, which encouraged reading and literacy skills among elementary school children. She visited schools around the state of New Jersey doing what she loves to do-reading to children!

On her role as First Lady she has said, "I just wanted to take the opportunity and make a difference…I wanted to take all the things that have happened in my life and all of the things that I have learned and put them to use helping others who might be in similar situations…I had a limited window of opportunity to make a difference and I ran with it!"