Overview

James E. McGreevey served as the 52nd Governor of New Jersey from January 2002 until his resignation in November 2004. He was the first openly gay governor in United States history. His resignation followed disclosure of an extramarital affair with a male staff member and associated corruption allegations involving the appointment of the staffer to a position for which he was unqualified.

Prior to his governorship McGreevey, served as Mayor of Woodbridge Township from 1991 to 2002. He previously served in the New Jersey General Assembly (1990-1992) and State Senate (1994-1998). He won the Democratic nomination for governor in 1997, but lost to Republican Christine Todd Whitman before winning the office in 2001.

Following his resignation, McGreevey entered private life and pursued religious studies. He earned a Master of Arts in psychology from Drew University in 2018, and was ordained as an Episcopal priest in November 2020. He later returned to public service in 2013 as Executive Director of the Jersey City Employment and Training Program.

In 2021 McGreevey ran unsuccessfully for Mayor of Jersey City, losing to incumbent Steven Fulop. He announced his candidacy for the 2025 Jersey City mayoral election, losing to James Solomon.

Political Career

Member New Jersey General Assembly (1990–1992)

Mayor Woodbridge Township (1991–2002)

Member New Jersey Senate (1994–1998)

Governor of New Jersey (2002–2004)

Candidate for Mayor of Jersey City (2021, 2025)

Key Policy Areas

Workforce development and job training

Urban redevelopment and transit-oriented development

LGBTQ+ rights and anti-discrimination policy

Education funding and school construction

Homeland security and emergency preparedness

Criminal justice reform and re-entry programs

Notable Actions / Initiatives

Resigned governorship August 2004 following disclosure of affair and corruption allegations, stating "I am a gay American" in nationally televised address

Implemented New Jersey's first domestic partnership law for same-sex couples (2004)

Ordained as Episcopal priest November 2020 after completing theological studies

Ran for Jersey City mayor in 2021 on platform of workforce development and public safety reform

Ran for Jersey City mayor again in 2025

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Catholic University of America (Washington, DC), 1978

Juris Doctor, Georgetown University Law Center (Washington, DC), 1981

Master of Arts in Psychology, Drew University (Madison, NJ), 2018

Personal

Birth date: August 6, 1957

Residence: Jersey City, New Jersey

Occupation: Executive Director, Jersey City Employment and Training Program