Donald DiFrancesco - Definition and Overview

Donald DiFrancesco

Donald T. DiFrancesco (born 1944) was the Republican Acting Governor of New Jersey from 2001 to 2002 by virtue of his status as President of the New Jersey Senate (the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature). This was due to a lack of lieutenant governor in the state of New Jersey. New Jersey law requires the President of the New Jersey Senate to remain both head of the legislature and the Acting Governor. This made him, in his own words, the most powerful NJ Governor ever (and perhaps the most powerful governor ever). He believes this because he was the leader of both the legislative and executive branches.

DiFrancesco ended his bid to be elected Governor in his own right because of corruption allegations. He presently serves on the Commerce Bancorp board of directors.