The state senate reassembled on Tuesday under the leadership of Senate President Nick Scutari (D-22),

product of a working class Linden home, the successor to Steve Sweeney, who lost his reelection bid last year.

Scutari defeated his colleague, state Senator Nia Gill (D-34) to become senate president.

Acting as temporary senate president, state Senator Steve Oroho (R-24) heard nominations for senate president from the floor.

State Senator Vin Gopal (D-11) nominated Scutari for the job. State Senator Joe Lagana (D-38) seconded the motion.

State Senator Ronald L. Rice (D-28) nominated Gill.

“With the right leadership, we can do better,” Rice said, citing self-centered tendencies.

“As senators, we are elected to do the most good for the greatest number of people,” he added. “Senator Gill provides a solid foundation. She has cultivated a national reputation. She’s a champion of human rights, the world over.”

Gill seconded the motion.

Oroho closed the nominations.

“We must choose an independent leader,” Gill argued. “I ask each of you to make that choice [in her favor].”

A closed power structure fails to serve the people, said the Essex-based senator.

“When power is concentrated in the hands of a few, millions are disenfranchised and the voices of the people we represent are silenced,” said Gill.

Restrictive.

Least-inclusive.

No checks and balances on the governor.

Too many exemptions for the legislature to supply oversight.

“Going forward, we must exercise our oversight role transparently,” Gill said. “We must guarantee that all senators are served equally by the staff. Our state is in an unprecedented affordability crisis. People are struggling. We can make meaningful progress, however, we must do it together.”

177 yrs.

114 men.

No diversity.

“Now is the time, I ask you to vote for a renewal of legislative power.”

Scutari said he could only speak for his record.

“I am what I am and my word is good,” said the Linden-based senator. “I ask you all for your vote.”

Then Scutari – who possesses the backing of the Democratic Party Machine – defeated Gill on a voice vote.

Scutari’s father held the Holy Bible as Scutari took the oath.

The new senate president thanked Senator Nick Sacco for his early support, and Gopal and Lagana. He thanked two former governors in the audience: Donald DiFrancesco and James McGreevey.

“You know, kid, with ideas like that, you’re going to have a short career as a senator,” Scutari recalled of an early career conversation with Senator (and former Governor) Dick Codey, when Scutari told Codey he wanted to legalize marijuana.

Scutari ended up spearheading the legalization of marijuana in New Jersey.

“You’re still here and so am I,” Scutari told Codey.

Scutari said he wants to be a consensus builder.

“I vow to be as bipartisan as possible,” he told Republicans. “To me, it’s not about partisanship.”

He choked up when he talked about his parents.

“My dad still works fulltime; he commutes to work every day, and I’m glad you could be here,” said the new senate president.

Scutari said he feels honored to serve New Jersey.

“The day that I don’t get inspired by the gold dome, I’ll leave,” he said.

Next, Scutari swore state Senator M. Teresa Ruiz (D-29) in as the new senate majority leader.

Daughter of a Newark factory worker, Ruiz succeeds the retired Senator Loretta Weinberg.

“Be kind to one another – think about it,” Ruiz’s daughter Silver told the chamber.

“I am truly humbled and honored to stand before you,” said Ruiz, who served as chair of the Senate Education Committee for a decade.

The new senate majority leader said she wants to continue to dedicate herself to making sure the children of New Jersey have a better tomorrow.

“I hope all of you will work toward those goals with me,” she said.

Oroho, having assumed the oath as the new senate minority leader and successor to the retired senator Tom Kean, Jr., also addressed the chamber.

His statement is here.

Earlier, Scutari started the session by administering the oath of office to Republican Jon Bramnick of Westfield.

Senator Bramnick (R-21) received a round of applause.

Scutari next administered the oath of office to Edward Durr, Republican of South Jersey, who last year defeated Sweeney.

Senator Durr (R-3) received a round of applause and a clap on the back from Scutari.

Senator-elect Jean Stanfield (R-8) then assumed the oath of office virtually.

Stanfield received applause.

Scutari then swore in Democrat Gordon Johnson from LD37.

Senator Johnson received applause.

Then Scutari summoned Senator-elect Andrew Zwicker (D-16) to the rostrum, swore him in, and bade the new senator from Middlesex congratulations amid applause.

Scutari then swore in himself and the rest of the chamber of reelected senators.