PERSON: Stephen Sweeney

New Jersey Senate

President

Stephen M. “Steve” Sweeney (born June 11, 1959) is an American executive, political power broker, and Democratic Party politician who currently serves as the President of the New Jersey Senate. He has served in the New Jersey State Senate since 2002, where he represents the 3rd Legislative District. On November 23, 2009, Sweeney was selected as Senate President-designate, replacing former Gov. Richard Codey.

A Union Ironworker by trade, Sweeney is frequently cited as the most powerful elected Democrat in New Jersey. Sweeney was ranked #4 by NJBIZ in their 2015 “Power 100” rankings of the most influential people statewide, and was ranked #4 by PolitickerNJ in their most recent annual ranking of the state’s most powerful elected officials.

Institutional Investor Magazine ranked Sweeney #12 nationwide on their “2017 Political Pension Power 25” list, ahead of figures such as financier Paul Singer and AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka

He was widely considered to be a top contender for the 2017 gubernatorial election to succeed Governor Chris Christie. On October 6, 2016, Sweeney announced his intention not to run for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2017.

Sweeney took office as Senate President on January 12, 2010.

— Wikipedia