Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday announced that Kathleen Frangione, his chief policy adviser, will serve as acting chief of staff beginning Wednesday. She succeeds Pete Cammarano, whose last day was Tuesday.
Cammarano, whose resignation came in December, has recently been testifying before a legislative committee on a sexual assault accusation involving a volunteer and staff member on Murphy’s campaign. Cammarano, who had also served as chief of staff to Gov. Richard Codey, is returning to the private sector.
In her new role, Frangione will oversee all workings of the Governor’s Office and Executive Branch. She had worked in Washington, D.C., as a consultant before joining Murphy’s administration.
“I’d first like to thank Pete Cammarano for his years of service to the state of New Jersey and for making our first year in office such a success,” Murphy said in a prepared statement on the same day he delivered his first State of the State address. “Under Pete’s leadership, we signed into law 169 bills, the most of any first-year New Jersey governor in over two decades. …
“I’m honored today to announce Kathleen Frangione as my acting chief of staff. Kathleen brings a diverse array of experience to the role and has ably served as my top policy adviser for the past year. I value her counsel and management skills, and know she will serve the people of New Jersey well in her new role.”
Murphy’s announcement did not address when a permanent replacement might be named.