Statement from Dale Florio on the Passing of Former Senate President John Russo
My colleagues and I at Princeton Public Affairs Group, Winning Strategies Washington and Princeton Strategic Communications mourn today the passing of our friend and colleague, former Senate President John Russo. John joined our team in 1992 after a long career in the legislature. He showed no pretense of being a former legislative leader, former Acting Governor or gubernatorial candidate but a friend and mentor to his less experienced co-workers at a fledgling public affairs firm.
John was competitive. He did not like to lose. We watched him as a legislator and were amazed at his ability to bring competing sides together in order to get a bill to a Governor’s desk. Lobbying, skiing or playing golf, John was always focused on the goal line as well as his beloved Giants.
John was at his best when telling stories. And, these stories often came after a session when he was holding court at a local eating establishment in the Chambersburg section of Trenton. When he “crossed the street” his stories kept us from taking politics too seriously. While he didn’t like to lose, he reminded us that, if we did our best, there was no reason to hang your head.
I hesitate to call John a “throwback” when partisanship stayed in the statehouse and you could “break bread” together after the day’s work. To us, John was and will always be an example of how those of us who engage in the science of politics should practice our craft.
We extend our deepest sympathies to Maryanne and the Russo family. John is a loss not only to those that knew him but to the countless New Jerseyans that benefitted from his focus on humanity in all that he did.
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