Former New Jersey Governors’ Chiefs of Staff Rich Bagger (Governor Christie) and George Helmy (Governor Murphy) co-authored a NJ Spotlight News opinion piece on pre-election considerations for the gubernatorial candidates as they prepare to govern, encouraging the candidates to be ready to move quickly if successful on Election Day to organize the Governor’s Office, set priorities for their first year in office, and be ready to take action starting on Day One.
Drawing on their firsthand experience as New Jersey Chiefs of Staff, Bagger and Helmy know how important the 77-day transition window can be in preparing to take office in one of the powerful and complex governorships in the country. In their view, early decisions on appointing a Chief of Staff and Chief Counsel, defining how the Governor’s Office and Cabinet will operate, and prioritizing legislative and community stakeholder relationships contribute to a Governor’s early and lasting success.