Meet Jeff Chiesa, who is in a statistical dead heat to being one of the most powerful people in New Jersey
By Wally EdgeIf Christopher Christie wins the race for governor tomorrow, look for Jeffrey Chiesa to become an extraordinarily powerful man in New Jersey politics. Christie's longtime friend could find himself on short lists for Chief of Staff, Counsel to the Governor, and Attorney General.
The 44-year-old Chiesa and Christie were law partners at Dughi, Hewit & Palatucci and went to the U.S. Attorney's office together in 2002. Chiesa served as Chief of the Public Protection Unit, as Counsel to the U.S. Attorney, and as Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney. He prosecuted former Senate President John Lynch and Harry Parkin, who was Mercer County Executive Robert Prunetti's Chief of Staff.
Chiesa, who let the U.S. Attorney's office last year, has been on the inner circle of the campaign for governor.
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Good choice.
Chiesa is a steady and professional person.
If Christie pulls this off, he could do much worse than pick Chiesa to help run his operation as CoS.
But if Christie wants to continue the "corruption busting streak" he had while US Attorney, I'd bet he'd be on the short list for A.G.
Either way, Chiesa is more than capable. I wish him luck.
Veritas vos Liberabit
"Collecting more taxes than absolutely necessary is legalized robbery." - Calvin Coolidge
COS?
I didn't read anything in his bio that included a stitch of experience in gov't or the statehouse. With a Dem legislature, Christie will need some folks who know the lay of the land in Trenton and who aren't afraid to put their foot down on behalf of the Governor.