# Jeffrey Chiesa
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{{Short description|American politician (born 1965)}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2016}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Jeff Chiesa
| image = Jeffrey Chiesa, official portrait, 113th Congress.jpg
| caption = Official portrait, 2013
| jr/sr = United States Senator
| state = [New Jersey](/source/New_Jersey)
| term_start = June 6, 2013
| term_end = October 30, 2013
| appointer = [Chris Christie](/source/Chris_Christie)
| predecessor = [Frank Lautenberg](/source/Frank_Lautenberg)
| successor = [Cory Booker](/source/Cory_Booker)
| office1 = 59th [Attorney General of New Jersey](/source/New_Jersey_Attorney_General)
| governor1 = Chris Christie
| term_start1 = January 10, 2012
| term_end1 = June 6, 2013
| predecessor1 = [Paula Dow](/source/Paula_Dow)
| successor1 = [John Hoffman](/source/John_Jay_Hoffman) (acting)
| birth_name = Jeffrey Scott Chiesa
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1965|6|22}}
| birth_place = [Bound Brook, New Jersey](/source/Bound_Brook%2C_New_Jersey), U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = [Republican](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States))
| spouse = Jenny Sullivan
| education = [University of Notre Dame](/source/University_of_Notre_Dame) ([BBA](/source/Bachelor_of_Business_Administration))
[Catholic University](/source/Catholic_University_of_America) ([JD](/source/Juris_Doctor))
| module = {{Listen |pos=center |embed=yes |filename=Sen. Jeffrey Chiesa on Interagency Information Sharing on National Security Threats.ogg |title=Chiesa's voice |type=speech |description=Chiesa questioning witnesses on inter-agency information sharing at a [Senate Homeland Security Committee](/source/United_States_Senate_Committee_on_Homeland_Security_and_Governmental_Affairs) hearing.
Recorded September 11, 2013}}
}}
'''Jeffrey Scott Chiesa''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|k|iː|ˈ|eɪ|z|ə|}} {{Respell|kee|AY|zə}}; born June 22, 1965) is an American lawyer and politician who served as a [United States senator](/source/United_States_Senate) from [New Jersey](/source/New_Jersey) from June 6 to October 30, 2013. As a member of the [Republican Party](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)), he previously served as the 59th [attorney general of New Jersey](/source/New_Jersey_Attorney_General) from January 10, 2012, until June 6, 2013.
Prior to his tenure as New Jersey Attorney General, he served as Chief Counsel to [New Jersey Governor](/source/Governor_of_New_Jersey) [Chris Christie](/source/Chris_Christie). Christie announced on June 6, 2013, that he would appoint Chiesa to the United States Senate seat that was vacated by the death of Democratic Senator [Frank Lautenberg](/source/Frank_Lautenberg);[{{cite web|title=Governor Christie: Attorney General Jeff Chiesa Is The Best Person For The Job|url=http://www.state.nj.us/governor/news/news/552013/approved/20130606b.html|date=June 6, 2013|access-date=June 6, 2013}}] four days later, Chiesa was sworn in, becoming the first Republican senator of New Jersey since [Nicholas F. Brady](/source/Nicholas_F._Brady).[{{cite web|url=http://www.cq.com/doc/news-4291937?wr=bzR2QWhQbmtjMG11Q0JVQklBaHNuQQ|title=CQ.com - Login|website=www.CQ.com|access-date=October 15, 2017}}] He declined to run for the remainder of the Senate term in the [2013 special election](/source/2013_United_States_Senate_special_election_in_New_Jersey), which was subsequently won by Democrat [Cory Booker](/source/Cory_Booker), Mayor of [Newark](/source/Newark%2C_New_Jersey).
To date, Chiesa is the last Republican to serve as a U.S. senator from New Jersey.
==Early life, education and early law career==
Chiesa grew up in [Bound Brook, New Jersey](/source/Bound_Brook%2C_New_Jersey), the eldest of three children. When he was 8 years old, his father, a chemical plant worker, died, and he was raised by his mother, a public school teacher.[{{cite news |url=https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/01/new_attorney_general_takes_the.html |title=New N.J. attorney general takes the reins at a turbulent time for crime fighters |author=Christopher Baxter |newspaper=[The Star-Ledger](/source/The_Star-Ledger) |date=January 25, 2012 |access-date=January 25, 2012}}] He attended [Bound Brook High School](/source/Bound_Brook_High_School) and graduated from the [University of Notre Dame](/source/University_of_Notre_Dame) in 1987 with a [Bachelor of Business Administration](/source/Bachelor_of_Business_Administration) degree in accounting. He earned his [J.D.](/source/Juris_Doctor) from the [Columbus School of Law](/source/Columbus_School_of_Law) at [The Catholic University of America](/source/The_Catholic_University_of_America) in 1990.
In 1988, Chiesa joined the [Cranford](/source/Cranford%2C_New_Jersey) law firm of Dughi, Hewit & Palatucci (now known as Dughi & Hewit). There he met and befriended [Chris Christie](/source/Chris_Christie), who had joined the firm the year before.[{{cite web |url=http://www.nj.gov/oag/oag/ag_bio.htm |title=Biography of Jeffrey S. Chiesa |publisher=Office of the [Attorney General of New Jersey](/source/Attorney_General_of_New_Jersey) |access-date=January 25, 2012}}]
==U.S. Attorney's Office==
In 2002, he followed Christie to the office of the [United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey](/source/United_States_Attorney_for_the_District_of_New_Jersey), where he led a number of the office's high-profile public corruption cases, including the one against former [State Senate](/source/New_Jersey_Senate) President [John A. Lynch Jr.](/source/John_A._Lynch_Jr.)[ He served as counsel to the U.S. Attorney, Chief of the Public Protection Unit, and Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney. He left in 2009 to become a partner in the firm of Wolff & Samson.][
==Chief Counsel to Governor Christie==
In 2009, after Christie was elected [Governor of New Jersey](/source/Governor_of_New_Jersey), Chiesa headed his transition team.][{{cite web|last=Delli Santi |first=Angela |url=http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2010250755_apuschristiefiscalemergencynewjersey.html |title=Fiscal emergency is option for NJ's gov-elect |publisher=The Seattle Times |date=November 11, 2009 |access-date=June 6, 2013}}] Christie then named Chiesa his chief counsel.[ In June 2010, Christie sent him to speak to Republican Assemblyman [Michael Patrick Carroll](/source/Michael_Patrick_Carroll), to persuade him to drop his opposition to the budget because it cut proportionally more aid to suburban schools than to urban ones.][{{cite web|last=Friedman |first=Matt |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/97284959_Trenton_braces_for_budget_marathon.html |title=Trenton braces for budget marathon |publisher=NorthJersey.com |date=June 28, 2010 |access-date=June 6, 2013}}]
==Attorney General of New Jersey==
On December 12, 2011, Governor Christie nominated Chiesa to succeed [Paula Dow](/source/Paula_Dow) as [Attorney General of New Jersey](/source/Attorney_General_of_New_Jersey).[{{cite news |url=http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/state/attorney-general-paula-dow-to-be-replaced-by-christies-counsel-jeff-chiesa |title=Attorney General Paula Dow to be replaced by Christie's counsel Jeff Chiesa |author=Tom Hester Sr. |newspaper=NewJerseyNewsRoom.com |date=December 12, 2011 |access-date=January 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904100915/http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/state/attorney-general-paula-dow-to-be-replaced-by-christies-counsel-jeff-chiesa |archive-date=September 4, 2012 |url-status=dead }}] Chiesa was sworn in as Dow's successor on January 10, 2012.[{{cite news |url=http://hudsonreporter.com/pages/full_story/push?article--+New+Jersey+officially+has+a+new+attorney+general-%20&id=17076705 |title=New Jersey officially has a new attorney general |author=Ray Smith |newspaper=[The Hudson Reporter](/source/The_Hudson_Reporter) |date=January 13, 2012 |access-date=January 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104041708/http://hudsonreporter.com/pages/full_story/push?article--+New+Jersey+officially+has+a+new+attorney+general-%20&id=17076705 |archive-date=November 4, 2013 |url-status=dead }}]
Chiesa supported mandatory [drug rehab](/source/Drug_rehabilitation) treatment for non-violent drug offenders and holding violent defendants without bail.[{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2012/04/chiesa_pushes_mandatory_drug_o.html |title=Chiesa pushes mandatory drug offender treatment in Jersey City meeting |publisher=The Jersey Journal |date=April 26, 2012 |access-date=June 6, 2013}}] In January 2012, he proposed a comprehensive program to crack down on [prescription drug abuse addictions and overdoses](/source/Prescription_drug_abuse).[{{cite web|author=Baxter, Christopher |url=https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/01/attorney_general_reveals_new_p.html |title=N.J. Attorney General announces new prescription drug addiction program |date=January 19, 2012 |publisher=The Star-Ledger |access-date=June 6, 2013}}]
In February 2012, he helped deliver $837.7 million to distressed homeowners of New Jersey from a settlement with major banks. The state had 10.6% of homeowners who are 90 or more days delinquent on their mortgage, the third-highest percentage in the nation at the time.[{{cite web|author1=Beeson, Ed |author2=Portlock, Sarah |url=https://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2012/02/us_settlement_with_mortgage_se.html |title=U.S. settlement with mortgage servicers will deliver nearly $838 million to N.J. |publisher=The Star-Ledger |date=February 9, 2012 |access-date=June 6, 2013}}]
In April 2012, he announced the arrest of three men accused of theft at several [Home Depot](/source/Home_Depot) stores across five states: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and New York. They were "under-ringing" their purchases at self-checkout machines and were charged with more than 500 illegal transactions totaling more than $100,000.[{{cite web |url=http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/the-feed/item/36525-nj-arrests-three-men-for-alleged-five-state-home-depot-theft-ring |title=N.J. arrests three men for alleged five-state Home Depot theft ring |publisher=NewsWorks |access-date=June 6, 2013 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}] In the same month, he announced the arrests of 27 people in a major [child pornography](/source/child_pornography) incident, that required the involvement of more than 100 law enforcement officers for "Operation Watchdog".[{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/04/27_nj_residents_arrested_in_ma.html |title=27 N.J. residents arrested in major child porn investigation |date=April 18, 2012 |publisher=NJ.com |access-date=June 6, 2013}}] He also filed a lawsuit against John Kot and Gabriel R. DaSilva of leading home improvement companies for defrauding people and breaking several laws.[{{cite web|url=http://legalnewsline.com/news/235921-n.j.-home-improvement-companies-sued |title=N.J. home improvement companies sued |publisher=Legal Newsline |date=April 23, 2012 |access-date=June 6, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426230741/http://www.legalnewsline.com/news/235921-n.j.-home-improvement-companies-sued |archive-date=April 26, 2012 }}]
==U.S. Senate==
thumb|Chiesa in November 2013, following his departure from the Senate
On June 6, 2013, Governor [Chris Christie](/source/Chris_Christie) announced that he would appoint Chiesa, a resident of [Branchburg, New Jersey](/source/Branchburg%2C_New_Jersey), to succeed recently deceased [United States Senator](/source/United_States_Senate) [Frank Lautenberg](/source/Frank_Lautenberg).[Santora, Marc; and Zernike, Kate. [https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/07/nyregion/in-new-jersey-scrambling-to-vie-for-a-senate-seat.html "Attorney General of New Jersey Named as Interim Senator"], ''[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)'', June 6, 2013. Accessed June 6, 2013.] Chiesa announced that he would not seek election to the seat in the [2013 special election](/source/United_States_Senate_special_election_in_New_Jersey%2C_2013).[{{cite news|last1=Zernike|first1=Kate|title=Christie Picks New Jersey's Attorney General to Be Interim Senator|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/07/nyregion/in-new-jersey-scrambling-to-vie-for-a-senate-seat.html?hp&_r=0|access-date=June 6, 2013|newspaper=[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)|date=June 6, 2013|last2=Santora|first2=Marc}}] In the news conference, he said that "I'm a conservative Republican, generally speaking." In regard to [immigration reform](/source/immigration_reform), he stated, "I think the first thing we have to do is make sure the borders are secure."[{{cite web|first=Maggie |last=Haberman |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/chris-christie-jeff-chiesa-interim-senator-new-jersey-92357.html?hp=bn |title=Chris Christie appoints Jeff Chiesa as interim senator |date=June 6, 2013 |publisher=Politico |access-date=June 6, 2013}}]
Chiesa resigned as Attorney General on June 6, 2013, and Executive Assistant Attorney General [John Jay Hoffman](/source/John_Jay_Hoffman) became acting Attorney General. Chiesa was sworn into the Senate on June 10, 2013, by Vice President [Joe Biden](/source/Joe_Biden). Chiesa was the only Republican senator to represent New Jersey since 1982 when then-Governor [Thomas Kean](/source/Thomas_Kean) appointed [Nicholas F. Brady](/source/Nicholas_F._Brady) to the Senate in order to fill a vacancy; in that case, the seat was subsequently won by Lautenberg for the first time.[{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/06/10/chiesa-new-jersey-senate-lautenberg/2408555/|title=5 things to know about NJ Sen. Jeff Chiesa |first=Catalina|last=Camia|date=June 10, 2003}}]
Chiesa's vote was seen as crucial to the passing of the [Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013](/source/Border_Security%2C_Economic_Opportunity%2C_and_Immigration_Modernization_Act_of_2013). [John McCain](/source/John_McCain) joked that "I'm going to subject him to intense interrogation—I may [waterboard](/source/Waterboarding) the guy. Or maybe tell him that he's either going to support this legislation or hire someone to start his car in the morning."[{{cite web |url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-06-27/the-surreal-existence-of-jeff-chiesa-new-jerseys-accidental-senator |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702144510/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-06-27/the-surreal-existence-of-jeff-chiesa-new-jerseys-accidental-senator |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 2, 2013 |title=The Surreal Existence of Jeff Chiesa, New Jersey's Accidental Senator |work=Business Week |author=Julie Hirschfeld Davis |date=June 27, 2013|access-date=October 15, 2017}}] He ultimately voted for the bill, which prompted conservative commentator [Ann Coulter](/source/Ann_Coulter) to proclaim that Christie was "dead to me" for appointing Chiesa to the Senate.[{{cite web |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/28/ann-coulter-chris-christie_n_3518072.html |title=Ann Coulter Says Chris Christie Is Dead To Her For Jeff Chiesa's Immigration Vote |work=The Huffington Post |author=John Celock |date=June 28, 2013}}] In July 2013, he signed the [Mike Lee letter](/source/United_States_federal_government_shutdown_of_2013) which called for an amendment to the [continuing resolution](/source/Continuing_Appropriations_Resolution%2C_2014_(H.J.Res_59)) that would defund the [Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act](/source/Patient_Protection_and_Affordable_Care_Act).[{{cite news |title=Have Your Members of Congress Signed the 'Defund ObamaCare' Letter? Find Out Here! |author=Joshua Withrow |url=http://www.freedomworks.org/blog/jwithrow/does-your-senator-stand-with-mike-lee-against-obam |work=FreedomWorks |date=August 14, 2013 |access-date=October 11, 2013 |archive-date=October 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013113348/http://www.freedomworks.org/blog/jwithrow/does-your-senator-stand-with-mike-lee-against-obam |url-status=dead }}] He opposed Democratic attempts to reinsert funding for the Affordable Care Act[{{cite web |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/Temporary_NJ_senator_mixes_votes_on_shutdown_bills.html |title=Temporary NJ senator mixes votes on shutdown bills |work=NorthJersey.com |author=Herb Jackson |date=September 27, 2013}}] but ultimately voted for the Reid-McConnell bill to end [the shutdown](/source/United_States_federal_government_shutdown_of_2013).[{{cite news|last=Cameron|first=Darla|title=Votes to end the government shutdown|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/congress-votes-to-end-shutdown/senate.html?hpid=z2|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=October 16, 2013|author2=Andrews, Wilson}}]
He used his time in the Senate to try to draw attention to the issue of [human trafficking](/source/human_trafficking)[{{cite web |url=http://articles.philly.com/2013-10-31/news/43563443_1_jeff-chiesa-cory-booker-u-s-senate |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131101174057/http://articles.philly.com/2013-10-31/news/43563443_1_jeff-chiesa-cory-booker-u-s-senate |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 1, 2013 |title=Chiesa looks back fondly on a brief Senate career |work=philly.com |author=Jonathan Tamari |date=October 31, 2013}}] and, according to ''[The Washington Post](/source/The_Washington_Post)'', voted with his party 84% of the time.[{{cite web |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/politics/Outgoing_Sen_Chiesa_says_hes_open_to_future_run.html |title=Interim Sen. Jeffrey Chiesa wins accolades from both parties |work=NorthJersey.com |author=Herb Jackson |date=October 30, 2013}}] He left the Senate on October 31, 2013, when Newark Mayor [Cory Booker](/source/Cory_Booker), who won the special election, was sworn in.[{{cite web |url=http://editions.lib.umn.edu/smartpolitics/2013/06/07/chiesa-to-tally-4th-shortest/ |title= Chiesa to Tally 4th Shortest Senate Tenure in New Jersey History |work=Smart Politics |first=Eric |last=Ostermeier |date= June 7, 2013}}]
Chiesa ruled out the possibility of running for the seat in the regularly scheduled [2014 election](/source/United_States_Senate_election_in_New_Jersey%2C_2014), but said that he would consider running for office in the future.[{{cite web |url=https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/10/jeff_chiesa_says_he_wouldnt_rule_out_running_for_office_report_says.html |title=Jeff Chiesa won't rule out running for office again, report says |work=NJ.com |first=Naomi |last=Nix |date=October 31, 2013}}]
===Committee assignments===
*'''[Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation](/source/United_States_Senate_Committee_on_Commerce%2C_Science%2C_and_Transportation)'''
**[Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance](/source/United_States_Senate_Commerce_Subcommittee_on_Consumer_Protection%2C_Product_Safety%2C_and_Insurance)
*'''[Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs](/source/United_States_Senate_Committee_on_Homeland_Security_and_Governmental_Affairs)'''
*'''[Committee on Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship](/source/United_States_Senate_Committee_on_Small_Business_and_Entrepreneurship)'''
==Atlantic City state takeover==
Chiesa was appointed by Christie to oversee the state takeover of [Atlantic City](/source/Atlantic_City%2C_New_Jersey) in 2016.[{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/12/christie_friend_to_get_400_an_hour_for_atlantic_ci.html|title=Christie friend to get $400 an hour for Atlantic City takeover work|date=December 2016|website=NJ.com|access-date=October 15, 2017}}] His private firm is to bill the state for their services.[{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/03/how_much_christies_appointee_has_billed_nj_for_atl.html|title=Here's how much Christie ally has billed N.J. in Atlantic City takeover|date=March 2017|website=NJ.com|access-date=October 15, 2017}}]
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
==External links==
* {{CongLinks | congbio=C001100 | votesmart=144672 | fec= | congress=jeffrey-chiesa/2192 }}
*{{C-SPAN|64996}}
{{s-start}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[Attorney General of New Jersey](/source/New_Jersey_Attorney_General)|years=2012–2013}}
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Acting}}
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{{s-bef|before=[Frank Lautenberg](/source/Frank_Lautenberg)}}
{{s-ttl|title=[United States Senator (Class 2) from New Jersey](/source/List_of_United_States_senators_from_New_Jersey)|years=2013|alongside=[Bob Menendez](/source/Bob_Menendez)}}
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{{New Jersey Attorneys General}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Chiesa, Jeffrey S.}}
Category:1965 births
Category:21st-century United States senators
Category:Bound Brook High School alumni
Category:Columbus School of Law alumni
Category:Living people
Category:Mendoza College of Business alumni
Category:New Jersey attorneys general
Category:New Jersey Republicans
Category:People from Bound Brook, New Jersey
Category:People from Branchburg, New Jersey
Category:Republican Party United States senators from New Jersey
---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jeffrey Chiesa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Chiesa) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Chiesa?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.