Former Senate President Steve Sweeney is expected to become the new Gloucester County Administrator, a job that pays $274,121, the New Jersey Globe has confirmed.
The post was vacated on November 30 when his staunch ally, Gloucester County Democratic Chairman Chad Bruner, stepped down.
It’s unclear how the new post would affect Sweeney’s state pension.
Sweeney, once the second-most-powerful person in state government, lost his Senate seat in 2021; he sought the Democratic nomination for governor in June and finished last in a field of six candidates, with 7% of the primary vote.
The 66-year-old Sweeney served as a Gloucester County Freeholder from 1997 to 2006. He was elected to the State Senate in 2001, ousting Democrat-turned-Republican Raymond Zane, a 28-year incumbent, with 51.5%. He became Senate President in 2010, unseating incumbent Richard Codey, and held that post until his own upset loss in a bid for re-election in the 3rd legislative district four years ago.
Bruner is also expected to step down as county chairman; it’s unclear whether Sweeney or another loyalist will replace him. Sweeney had previously served as county chairman and has long remained the de facto Democratic boss of Gloucester.
Sweeney recently retired as general vice president of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers.
In September, Gov. Phil Murphy nominated Sweeney to the Rowan University Board of Trustees. Bruner chairs the Rowan board and is expected to remain in that post.
Sweeney’s former chief of staff, Michelle Coryell, now serves as the deputy county administrator. She currently faces charges of stealing a document from an aide to a Republican county commissioner in municipal court.
