Member of the New Jersey Senate
Christopher J. Connors (born June 26, 1956) is a New Jersey Republican Party politician, who served in the Senate from January 8, 2008 to January 9, 2024, where he represented the 9th Legislative District. He served in the General Assembly from January 9, 1990 to January 8, 2008.
Early life.
Born in Ridgewood, New Jersey on June 26, 1956, Connors graduated from Southern Regional High School. He received a B.S. degree in 1978 from Stockton State College (now Stockton University) in Business Administration, an M.P.A. in 1988 from Rutgers University in Public Administration and was awarded a J.D. in 1995 from the Rutgers School of Law - Camden in Camden. He resides in the Forked River section of Lacey Township. Connors is an attorney and is a partner at Dasti, Murphy, McGuckin, Ulaky, Koutsouris &amp; Connors.
Early Political Career.
The son of Leonard T. Connors, he grew up in Surf City, New Jersey and gained his first exposure to politics as a child while helping his father run for city council. He moved to Toms River in 1978 and to Lacey Township four years later, where he was first encouraged to run on his own for elected office. Though initially reluctant to run for election, Connors said that "perhaps the urge to enter politics was a latent kind of urge for me". Connors served on the Lacey Township Committee from 1985 to 1990 and was Mayor of Lacey Township from 1986 to 1989. Connors was Executive Director from 1988 to 1989 and was Deputy Executive Director from 1982 to 1988 of the New Jersey Commission on Capital Budgeting and Planning during the Administration of former Governor Thomas Kean.
New Jersey Assembly.
Connors was elected to the Assembly in 1989 and was sworn in on January 9, 1990. He served as Assistant Majority Leader of the Assembly from 1992 to 1996. He sponsored a law enacted in January 2000 requiring installation of ignition interlock devices in cars of repeat drunk driving offenders and of a 1998 law requiring criminal background checks for nurse aides and home personal care licensing applicants.
New Jersey Senate.
Connors succeeded his father, Leonard T. Connors, who served in the New Jersey Senate from 1982 to 2008.
In January 2023, Connors announced that he would not be a candidate for reelection after 33 years of service in the New Jersey Legislature.