Acting Gov. Nicholas Scutari took the oath of office and signed a bill Thursday while Gov. Mikie Sherrill travels out of state. Photo credit: New Jersey Senate Democrats.
By Jayden Parente
NJ State House News Service
TRENTON, N.J. – For the first time since her lieutenant governor resigned last month, Gov. Mikie Sherrill traveled out of state Thursday. She left Senate President Nicholas Scutari in charge.
The first thing Scutari did was sign legislation into law.
Scutari endorsed S1395 which allows most limited liability companies in the state to terminate alternative names mid-registration. The bill was hardly controversial. It passed the Senate and Assembly unanimously and takes effect immediately.
It was not the first time Scutari served as acting governor. The last time was in 2024 while both Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way and former Gov. Phil Murphy were out of state. In that brief tenure, he signed a handful of bills, including legislation to give state judges and county prosecutors a pay raise.
Scutari also served as acting governor in 2023 while Murphy was out of state and then-Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver was rushed to the hospital and passed away.
Before the introduction of the lieutenant governor position in 2010, the Senate President would routinely act as the governor in their absence. When former Gov. Jim McGreevey resigned, the Senate President served out the rest of his term as acting governor.
The position is currently vacant, following the resignation of Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell on Sept. 25 in the wake of sexual harassment and ethical misconduct allegations. Sherrill has 45 days to fill the position permanently.
The allegations against Caldwell, published in a 61-page report, include accusations that Caldwell, who also served as secretary of state, was involved in numerous incidents of misconduct toward women. The report also alleges that Caldwell brought women to official events without paying.
According to the report, Caldwell allegedly made crass remarks toward young female staffers who were his subordinates. He has denied the accusations.
On September 24th, Sherril released the report and called for Caldwell to resign, just eight months after their inauguration. Sherrill appointed Shirley Emehelu, who was serving as acting state comptroller, to serve as acting secretary of state after Caldwell’s resignation from the role.
Sherrill is due to return to New Jersey Friday night, with no public schedule.
Jayden Parente is a journalism student at Rowan University with a concentration in writing.
