New Jersey politics were rocked over the past week after it was announced that a former power player in the state assembly had died.
According to the New Jersey Globe, Chuck Haytaian, a former New Jersey State Assembly speaker, passed away at 86.
A conservative who once held considerable power in the state's legislature as the House speaker, Haytaian nearly won a U.S. Senate seat in the 1994 election.
The former state House speaker was widely known and popular, and was described by the outlet as a "gregarious, perspicacious, unpretentious one-time dry cleaner from Hackettstown."
During his 14-year career as a New Jersey state assemblyman, Haytaian represented parts of Warren, Sussex, and Hunterdon counties.
He also served as the Republican State Chairman from 1995 to 2001, and also became a close and important ally to Christine Todd Whitman, a moderate, two-term New Jersey governor.
Gov. Phil Murphy described Haytaian, saying, "Chuck grew from the Bronx-born child of Armenian Genocide survivors to a household name across the Garden State."
Longtime friend and former Haytaian mentee Assembly Minority Leader John DiMario released a short statement describing his fondness for Haytaian and what he meant to his career.
"From the start, Chuck’s passion for serving the public and his commitment to integrity left a lasting impact on me,” DiMaio said. "He helped guide me when I was just starting out and he never gave up on challenging me to push forward."
The outlet added:
A proud Armenian American, Haytaian became active as the president of his local Kiwanis Club and was elected to the Mansfield school board.
In 1974, Haytaian lost a bid for Warren County Freeholder by about 700 votes, 52%-48%, after Democrat Benjamin Bosco rode the Democratic Watergate wave to victory. He ran again in 1975 and defeated Democrat Christopher Maier by roughly 40 votes.
Given his popularity and legacy, many sent their condolences and paid their respects to Haytaian across social media.
"I am saddened to learn of the passing of former NJ Assembly Speaker Chuck Haytaian. He was a legend of New Jersey politics. His legacy will contain numerous accomplishments, but perhaps there is none greater than his efforts to make Warren County Community College a reality," one X user wrote.
Incredibly sad to learn that former Assembly Speaker Chuck Haytaian died today. He was 86. pic.twitter.com/RdM7pIELdL
— David Wildstein (@wildstein) November 1, 2024
Another X user wrote, "Rest In Peace one of New Jersey’s greatest Speakers and leaders, Speaker Chuck Haytaian."
