Acting Governor
As President of the Senate he served as Acting Governor for three and a half days in January 2002 following the resignation of Governor Christine Todd Whitman. Bennett's predecessor as Senate President, Donald DiFrancesco had previously served as acting Governor, and Bennett in turn succeeded to the office of acting governor when DiFrancesco's term ended and he was elected as the new Senate President.
During his service as acting governor, Bennett appeared on national television as part of the "five governors in a week" news cycle. He signed legislation into law, appointed judges, granted a pardon, created a nursing advisory council, and hosted several parties at Drumthwacket. The nursing advisory council was a tribute to his wife, Peg, a nurse. Peg Bennett was active during her tenure as First Lady of New Jersey.
Read more about this topic: John O. Bennett
Famous quotes containing the words acting and/or governor:
“Often, when there is a conflict between parent and child, at its very hub is an expectation that the child should be acting differently. Sometimes these expectations run counter what is known about children’s growth. They stem from remembering oneself, but usually at a slightly older age.”
—Ellen Galinsky (20th century)
“There are times when even the most potent governor must wink at transgression, in order to preserve the laws inviolate for the future.”
—Herman Melville (1819–1891)