Overview

Christopher P. DePhillips is a Republican member of the New Jersey General Assembly, representing the 40th Legislative District (parts of Bergen, Essex, and Passaic Counties) since January 9, 2018. He also serves as the Republican Conference Leader, the third highest-ranking position in the Assembly GOP caucus. Born in 1965 and raised in Northvale and Old Tappan, DePhillips attended Bergen Catholic High School before earning a bachelor's degree in government from Georgetown University in 1987.

He worked from 1987 to 1989 as a congressional aide to Representative Marge Roukema (R-Ridgewood), then earned his Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1992. A resident of Wyckoff for over three decades, DePhillips entered public service as a member of the Wyckoff Township Committee from 2010 to 2013, serving as deputy mayor in 2011 and mayor in 2012. He also served as a commissioner of the Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority from 2012 to 2017. Professionally, he is an attorney with over 30 years of experience, currently serving as an equity partner at Bernstein DePhillips & Kalosieh in North Jersey since April 2024. He previously served as chief operating officer and general counsel at Porzio Life Sciences (2016–2024) and has been a partner at Gibbons and Porzio Bromberg & Newman.

Political Career

New Jersey General Assemblyman, District 40 (2018–present)

Republican Conference Leader (2024–present)

Deputy Republican Leader (2021–2024)

Wyckoff Township Committee (2010–2013; served as Mayor 2012, Deputy Mayor 2011)

Commissioner, Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority (2012–2017)

Chair, 40th District Republican County Committee (2014–2019)

Key Policy Areas

Tax reduction and fiscal restraint

Transportation infrastructure and independent authorities

Government transparency and election integrity

Technology and innovation policy

Education finance and school construction oversight

Life sciences regulatory compliance

Notable Actions / Initiatives

Elevated to Republican Conference Leader in January 2024, becoming the third highest-ranking Republican in the Assembly

Introduced legislation in February 2019 to abolish the New Jersey Schools Development Authority, citing fiscal concerns and mismanagement

Authored legislation in December 2021 to permit early counting of vote-by-mail ballots prior to Election Day, aimed at addressing election night reporting delays

Introduced articles of impeachment against New Jersey Secretary of Labor Robert Asaro-Angelo in March 2022

Served on the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee and the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee

Education

J.D., Seton Hall University School of Law (1992)

B.A., Government, Georgetown University (1987)

Diploma, Bergen Catholic High School, Oradell (1983)

Personal

Birth date: March 30, 1965

Residence: Wyckoff, Bergen County, New Jersey