Politics & Government

Christie Postpones State of the State After Death of House Minority Leader

Alex DeCroce, longest-serving assemblyman, collapsed in Statehouse.

State Assemblyman Alex DeCroce died suddenly late Monday after a long deliberative session at the Statehouse. He was 75 years old.

The Parsippany resident, who represented the 26th legislative district in Trenton since 1989, collapsed in a first-floor bathroom just before 11:30 p.m., right after the legislature completed its final voting session.

Gov. Christie announced that his State of the State speech, scheduled for this afternoon, would be postponed after the death of the man he credits with helping give him his start in politics two decades ago.

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DeCroce was the state's longest-serving assemblyman. He served as the General Assembly's deputy speaker from 1994 to 2001 and was elevated to minority leader in 2003.

He is survived by his wife, Betty DeCroce, deputy commissioner of the state Department of Community Affairs.

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"Alex was a true leader for the Republican caucus in the Assembly, and was loved and respected by legislators of both chambers, on both sides of the aisle. He worked tirelessly for his constituents, for our party, and to make sure this institution never lost sight of who it was supposed to serve—the people of New Jersey," Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R- Union) said in a statement issued late Monday.

According to NJ.com, an emotional Gov. Chris Christie arrived at the Statehouse midnight for a meeting, first stopping to hug Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex), Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) and Sen. Steven Oroho (R-Essex) outside party offices.

"Tonight I lost a dear friend, colleague and mentor—Assembly Republican Leader Alex De Croce," Christie said in a statement. “I have known Alex for nearly twenty years. He helped to give me my start in elective politics in Morris County in 1993. He was one of the most kind, considerate and trustworthy people I have ever had the pleasure to know. He was an enormously accomplished legislator and a tremendous servant to the people of New Jersey."

"Mary Pat and I offer our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Department of Community Affairs Deputy Commissioner Betty Lou De Croce, and to Alex’s entire family," the governor's statement continued. "This is an enormous loss for our state and for me personally."

In DeCroce's honor, Christie's office announced that Tuesday's previously scheduled State of the State address will be cancelled.

Oliver and Assembly Majority Leader-elect Louis D. Greenwald (D-Camden) issued a joint statement calling DeCroce "a friend, colleague and leader."

"He was a dedicated public servant. He was a true New Jerseyan," they wrote .

The 26th District, after legislative lines were redrawn last year, includes Butler, Fairfield, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Montville, Morris Plains, North Caldwell, Parsippany, Rockaway, Verona, West Caldwell and West Milford.

Until the redistricting, it included Bloomingdale, Chatham borough, East Hanover, Florham Park, Hanover, Pequannock, Pompton Lakes and Riverdale.

DeCroce's death came as the legislature was wrapping up its "lame duck" session—the last of its calendar before new members, elected in November, take office. As 2011 was closing out, Decroce was publically urging Democrat leaders to provide tax relief. He also urged the federal government to address the flooding of the Passaic River Basin, which in a statement issued Dec. 22 he and other leglislatuve leaders  called "a frequent nightmare for North Jersey residents and businesses."

He'd also recently reflected on the December passing of his former running mate, longtime Morris County political fixture Carol Murphy. Murphy served in the Assembly with DeCroce between 1993 and 2002, also representing the 26th Legislative District

"Our state has lost someone who served the public in many ways, and always did so with dignity and class," DeCroce said just weeks ago of his longtime friend.


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