Donald DiFrancesco

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Donald DiFrancesco

51^{st 1} Governor of New Jersey
In office 2001 – January 8, 2002
Preceded by	Christine Todd Whitman
Succeeded by	see below

Born	1944
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Diane DiFrancesco
1. As of January 9, 2006, New Jersey law states that an Acting Governor serving for 180 or more days is officially Governor. The new law was applied retroactively to both Richard Codey and Donald DiFrancesco.

Donald Thomas DiFrancesco (born 1944) was the 51st 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. DiFrancesco's title was officially Acting Governor until it was changed retroactively by legislation passed on January 10, 2006. DiFrancesco, a state senator representing the Scotch Plains area, became governor when Christine Todd Whitman resigned from office to join the administration of newly elected President George W. Bush. Prior to serving in the State Senate, DiFrancesco represented Union County in the New Jersey General Assembly.

At the time of Whitman's resignation, the New Jersey Constitution stipulated that the Senate president retains that position while also serving as acting governor. This made DiFrancesco, in his own words, the most powerful New Jersey governor ever (and perhaps the most powerful governor ever) because he was the leader of both the legislative and executive branches simultaneously. This distinction was shared by later acting governors John O. Bennett and Richard Codey.

An August 7, 2001, Quinnipiac University poll showed Donald DiFrancesco's approval ratings at 54%, but what was remarkable about that poll is that it showed he had a 48% approval rating among Democrats. DiFrancesco served during a politically polarizing era, and he managed to garner broad public support despite the fact that many New Jerseyans were unhappy with his predecessor's decision to join the Bush administration, and even less happy with the EPA policies Christie Whitman changed during her tenure there.

DiFrancesco presently serves on the Commerce Bancorp board of directors and is a partner in a law firm. He resides with his wife in Scotch Plains.