Ex-N.J. Senate President Steve Sweeney returns to government as county administrator

Ex-N.J. Senate President Steve Sweeney returns to government as county administrator

Eric Conklin

Sun, January 4, 2026 at 1:59 PM UTC

3 min read

Former New Jersey Senate president Steve Sweeney, who lost in the Democratic primary for governor last year, has been appointed to a county administrator role.

Gloucester County commissioners approved a five-year contract for Sweeney on Friday.

The resolution does not list his salary, but the role’s pay range is $191,308 and $287,168, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Sweeney is eligible for job-performance raises during his contracted term, the resolution states.

The job’s perks include use of a county-issued vehicle for both personal and work-related use.

Sweeney told NJ Advance Media on Saturday that returning to Gloucester County government feels like a homecoming.

“This is where I started,” Sweeney said. “I’m looking forward to another challenge.”

Sweeney served as a freeholder in Gloucester County for 14 years before resigning in 2010. He served in the state Senate for 20 years until losing a reelection bid in 2022.

The Gloucester County commissioners voted 5-1 in favor of the resolution approving Sweeney’s contract.

Republican Commissioner Nicholas DeSilvio voted against the appointment and fellow Republican Christopher Konawel declined to vote.

“I chose not to vote on the Sweeney resolution because at that point, I think the meeting was held illegally,” Konawel told NJ Advance Media. “My opinion is that meeting was held improperly, and did not follow proper procedures and protocols.”

Konawel, who live-streamed the meeting on his social media accounts, said he is exploring whether or not he can contest the vote on Sweeney’s appointment.

Sweeney was appointed to fill a vacancy left by Chad Bruner, who retired from the position.

As administrator, Sweeney will be responsible for overseeing Gloucester County’s operations and will report directly to the county commissioner board.

Both Sweeney and Bruner also serve as members of Rowan University’s board of trustees.

Sweeney joined the board in June, and his term will end in mid-2026, according to the university’s website.

Bruner, the board’s chair, has served since 2012, when he was nominated by former Gov. Chris Christie.

Sweeney’s legislative career came to an abrupt end in 2021, when he stunningly lost a re-election bid in the state Senate to Republican challenger Ed Durr, a truck driver without any previous political experience.

Sweeney sought a political comeback through New Jersey’s 2025 gubernatorial election, entering a crowded field of Democrats looking to succeed Gov. Phil Murphy.

Sweeney eventually lost in June’s primary to Democratic challenger Mikie Sherrill, who won November’s general election and is weeks away from becoming New Jersey’s 57th governor.

As Senate president, Sweeney, a moderate Democrat, was the second-most powerful elected state-level official, at times holding gubernatorial powers when the governor and lieutenant governor were out of state.

Sweeney campaigned for governor with highlights from his tenure in Trenton, including efforts to increase the minimum wage and implement paid family leave.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report.

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