Christopher DePhillips

Christopher DePhillips
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly
from the 40th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 9, 2018
Serving with Kevin J. Rooney (2016-2024)
Al Barlas (2024-present)
Preceded byDavid C. Russo
Commissioner of the Northwest
Bergen County Utilities Authority
In office
June 25, 2012[1] – December 31, 2017
Preceded byPeter A. Dachnowicz[2]
Succeeded byBrian Chewcaskie[3]
Member of the
Wyckoff Township Committee
In office
January 1, 2010 – January 1, 2013
Preceded byDavid C. Alnor[4]
Succeeded byHaakon Jepsen[5]
Personal details
Born (1965-03-30) March 30, 1965
PartyRepublican
Alma materGeorgetown University
Seton Hall University School of Law[6]
OccupationAttorney
Websitewww.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-roster/404/assemblyman-dephillips

Christopher P. DePhillips (born March 30, 1965) is an American attorney and Republican Party politician who has represented the 40th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2018. [6] Since 2024, DePhillips has been the GOP conference leader, the third highest-ranking Republican in the NJ Assembly. He had previously served as mayor of Wyckoff.

Personal and early life

DePhillips graduated in 1983 from Bergen Catholic High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in government from Georgetown University in 1987 and a juris doctor degree from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1992.[6][7] From 1987 to 1989 he worked in Washington, D.C., as an aide to Congresswoman Marge Roukema.

A member of the Wyckoff Township Committee from 2010 to 2013, DePhillips was unanimously chosen by his peers to serve as mayor in 2012.[6][8] Appointed in June 2012, he served until 2017 as a Commissioner of the Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority, which provides sewage treatment services to 75,000 residents in Bergen County.[6][9]

DePhillips is a practicing attorney who has been a partner at Gibbons as well as Porzio Bromberg & Newman. From 2016 until 2024, DePhillips was chief operating officer and general counsel at Porzio Life Sciences, which was taken over by RLDatix in 2022. [10] In April 2024 he returned to private practice, becoming an equity partner at the North Jersey law firm Bernstein DePhillips & Kalosieh.[11]

New Jersey Assembly

Since 2024, DePhillips has been GOP conference leader, the third highest-ranking Republican in the Assembly. [12][13] DePhillips was first appointed to GOP caucus leadership in 2021, when he was named deputy Republican leader by leader Jon Bramnick.[14]

In February 2019, DePhillips introduced a bill that would abolish the New Jersey Schools Development Authority, but it never came to a vote in Committee.[15]

In December 2021, DePhillips introduced a bill that would allow vote-by-mail ballots to be counted as they are received, which would change the current policy that requires waiting until election day. In an NJ Assembly GOP press release promoting the bill, Dephillips stated that, "It is incumbent upon officials to fix the problems that lead to conspiracy theories. Earlier counting of mail-in votes will help address some of this year's hang-ups," referencing how, in 2021, New Jersey's gubernatorial race and some legislative races were too close to call on election night.[16]

In March 2022, DePhillips introduced proposed articles of impeachment against New Jersey Secretary of Labor Robert Asaro-Angelo.[17]

Committees

Committee assignments for the 2024—2025 Legislative Session are:[6]

  • Science, Innovation and Technology
  • Transportation and Independent Authorities

District 40

Each of the 40 districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly.[18] The representatives from the 40th District for the 2024—2025 Legislative Session are:[19]

Electoral history

2023

Main article: New Jersey's 40th legislative district § 2023

Led by Kristin Corrado running for re-election in the New Jersey Senate, DePhillips and his Republican running mate, newcomer Al Barlas, defeated Democrats Giovanna Irizarry and Jennifer Marrinan in the 2023 New Jersey General Assembly election.[20][21]

40th Legislative District General Election, 2023[22]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Christopher P. DePhillips (incumbent) 28,601 27.9
Republican Al Barlas 27,638 27.0
Democratic Jennifer Marrinan 23,202 22.7
Democratic Giovanna Irizarry 22,952 22.4
Total votes 102,393 100.0
Republican hold
Republican hold

2021

Main article: New Jersey's 40th legislative district § 2021

In the 2021 New Jersey General Assembly election, DePhillips (with 45,246 votes) and running-mate Kevin Rooney defeated their Democratic opponents, a team of Waldwick councilwoman Nicole McNamara (who earned 31,066 votes) and former assistant Bergen County prosecutor Genny Allard (who earned 30,606), to win re-election to his third two-year term in the General Assembly.[23][24] In Bergen County, DePhillips won with 28.09% of the 60,790 votes cast (versus Allard's 21.73% and McNamara's 21.71%),[25] in Passaic County with 30.48% of the 66,366 votes cast (versus 18.94% and 19.50%),[26] in Essex County with 29.14% of the 10,059 votes cast (versus 20.28% and 20.71%);[27] and in Morris County with 31.83% of the 15,730 votes cast (versus 17.69% and 18.07%).[28]

Leading up to the election, the New Jersey State FMBA (a union representing career firefighters, EMTs, and dispatchers) backed DePhillips in a slate of mixed Republican and Democrat endorsements.[29] The New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police, also in a politically heterogenous round of endorsements, chose to support DePhillips as well.[30]

2021 General Election in 40th District[31]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kevin J. Rooney (incumbent) 46,004 30.1% 1.7
Republican Christopher DePhillips (incumbent) 45,246 29.6% 2.0
Democratic Genevieve Allard 30,606 20.0% 1.8
Democratic Nicole McNamara 31,066 20.3% 1.8
Total votes '152,922' '100.0'

2019

Main article: New Jersey's 40th legislative district § 2019

In the November 2019 election, DePhillips (with 21,955 votes) was re-elected to his second two-year term as an assemblyman, defeating the Democratic slate of former Bergen County Freeholder Julie O'Brien (who earned 17,557 votes) and Little Falls councilwoman Maria Martini Cordonnier (who earned 17,332).[32] In Bergen County, DePhillips won with 27.84% of the 17,046 cast (versus O'Brien's 22.17% and Cordonnier's 21.63%);[33] In Passaic County with 26.97% of the 36,050 votes cast (versus 22.58% and 22.45%),[34] in Essex County with 26.71% of the 3,254 votes cast (versus 22.74% and 23.11%);[35] and in Morris County with 30.26% of the 7,666 votes cast (versus 19.25% and 19.05%).[36]

In late October 2019, DePhillips and his running mate, Kevin Rooney, skipped a debate hosted by the League of Women Voters, claiming that the question-selection process was "broken" and "unfair" because an earlier debate sponsored by the Wayne League of Women Voters had allowed, "...a local Democratic candidate to be part of a group that was screening questions and determining what questions would be asked".[37]

2019 General Election in 40th District[38]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kevin J. Rooney (incumbent) 22,562 28.4% 1.7
Republican Christopher DePhillips (incumbent) 21,955 27.6% 1.3
Democratic Julie O'Brien 17,557 22.1% 1.1
Democratic Maria Martini Cordonnier 17,332 21.8 0.8
Total votes '79,426' '100.0'

2017

In the 2013 general election, the last time all three legislative seats in the 40th District were up for vote simultaneously, the winners were Republicans Kevin J. O'Toole in the Senate and Scott Rumana and David C. Russo in the Assembly. By the 2017 primaries all would be gone, with O'Toole resigning in 2017 to become a Commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (being replaced by Kristin Corrado), Rumana leaving in 2016 to become a judge in New Jersey Superior Court (replaced By Kevin J. Rooney) and Russo's announcement that he would not run for another term of office, leaving a vacuum that led to a series of primary challenges. DePhillips joined the June 2017 primary, seeking to replace Russo and running on a ticket with Rooney; they defeated primary opponents Joseph Bubba Jr. and the comeback attempt of former State Senator Norman M. Robertson by margins of 2–1; Kristin Corrado won the Senate nomination against former Assemblyman Paul DiGaetano.[39]

Since 1973, the 40th District has always leaned Republican, never electing a Democrat through the 2017 general election.[40] However, a poll conducted by Democrats shortly before the election showed the two slates tied at 39%, with 21% of voters undecided.[41] In the November 2017 general election, DePhillips (with 30,610 votes; 26.3% of all ballots cast) and his running mate, incumbent Kevin J. Rooney (with 31,170; 26.8%), defeated Democratic challengers Christine Ordway (27,092; 23.3%) and Paul Vagianos (26,737; 23.0%) to win both Assembly seats from the district for the Republicans.[42][43]

2017 General Election in 40th District[44]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kevin J. Rooney (incumbent) 31,170 26.8 0.8
Republican Christopher DePhillips 30,610 26.3 1.7
Democratic Christine Ordway 27,092 23.3 1.0
Democratic Paul Vagianos 26,737 23.0 0.8
You Tell Me Anthony J. Pellechia 748 0.6 N/A
Total votes '116,357' '100.0'

References

  1. ^ Mazzola, Jessica. "Former Mayor Officially Installed As Utilities CommissionerJohn DaPuzzo and Wyckoff Mayor Christopher DePhillips join NBCUA governing body", Mahwah Patch, June 25, 2012. Accessed February 9, 2020. "The Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority (NBCUA) has officially installed two new commissioners on its governing board. They are Christopher P. DePhillips of Wyckoff, NJ, and John DaPuzzo of Mahwah, NJ."
  2. ^ "Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority – Overview". Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on November 26, 2013. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  3. ^ "NBCUA Commissioners". Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on August 23, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  4. ^ "ELECTED OFFICIALS SERVINGTHE TOWNSHIP DURING 2010". Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on February 16, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  5. ^ "ELECTED OFFICIALS SERVINGTHE TOWNSHIP DURING 2010". Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on February 16, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Assemblyman Christopher P. DePhillips (R), New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 30, 2024.
  7. ^ Nesi, Chris. "Four are vying for two seats on the governing body", Wyckoff Suburban News, October 22, 2009. Accessed December 25, 2023, via Newspapers.com. "Christopher P. DePhillips.... Education: B.A., Georgetown University, Washington D.C.; Seton Hall University School of Law, Newark; Bergen Catholic High School, Oradell, 1983"
  8. ^ Gerace, Joseph M. "DePhillips in First Speech as Mayor: 'Wyckoff's Past, Present and Future are Strong'; New Mayor: 'Public service is an honor and responsibility, a duty.'", Wyckoff Patch, January 1, 2012. Accessed January 22, 2018. "At its reorganization meeting on January 1, Wyckoff's Township Committee unanimously voted Chris DePhillips as mayor for 2012."
  9. ^ Mazzola, Jessica. "Former Mayor Officially Installed As Utilities CommissionerJohn DaPuzzo and Wyckoff Mayor Christopher DePhillips join NBCUA governing body", Mahwah Patch, June 25, 2012. Accessed January 22, 2018. "The Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority (NBCUA) has officially installed two new commissioners on its governing board. They are Christopher P. DePhillips of Wyckoff, NJ, and John DaPuzzo of Mahwah, NJ."
  10. ^ "Porzio Life Sciences VP Christopher DePhillips Elected to NJ State Assembly", Porzio Life Sciences, press release dated November 8, 2017. Accessed January 22, 2018.
  11. ^ Wildstein, David (April 8, 2024). "DePhillips becomes equity partner at influential Bergen law firm". newjerseyglobe.com. New Jersey Globe. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  12. ^ "DePhillips, Barlas hold seats for GOP in LD40". New Jersey Globe. November 5, 2025. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  13. ^ {{cite news |title= Christopher P. DePhillips |url= https://www.njassemblygop.com/213/Christopher-DePhillips |access-date=19 March 2026 |publisher=NJ Assembly GOP
  14. ^ "Bramnick appoints DePhillips, Rooney to caucus leadership roles". InsiderNJ. June 4, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  15. ^ "DePhillips bill would eliminate the SDA". New Jersey Globe. February 28, 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  16. ^ Riser, Margo. "DePhillips introduces bill allowing vote-by-mail ballot counting before Election Day". NJAssemblyGOP. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  17. ^ Resso, Nathan (March 11, 2022). "DePhillips Introduces Articles of Impeachment Against Labor Commissioner". North-JerseyNews.com. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  18. ^ New Jersey State Constitution 1947 (Updated Through Amendments Adopted in November, 2020): Article IV, Section II, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 28, 2022.
  19. ^ Legislative Roster for District 40, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 11, 2024.
  20. ^ Connolly, John. "NJ election results 2023: State Senate, Assembly seats decided", The Record, November 9, 2023. Accessed December 23, 2023.
  21. ^ Official List Candidates for General Assembly for General Election November 7, 2023, New Jersey Department of State, December 6, 2023. Accessed December 23, 2023.
  22. ^ "Candidates for General Assembly - For GENERAL ELECTION 11/07/2023 Election" (PDF). New Jersey Department of State. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  23. ^ "40th Legislative District Election Results". nj.gov. New Jersey Division of Elections. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  24. ^ "Vote Allard & McNamara for District 40". Youtube. Sedon, Allard & McNamara for New Jersey. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  25. ^ "Official Election Results - 2021". livevoterturnout.com. Bergen County Clerk. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  26. ^ "All Current Results - 2021". clarityelections.com. Passaic County Clerk. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  27. ^ "2021 General Election Results". clarityelections.com. Essex County Clerk. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  28. ^ "2021 General Election Summary Report". morriscountyclerk.org. Morris County Clerk. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  29. ^ "NJFMBA Announces 2021 Legislative Endorsements". insidernj.com. Insider NJ. September 16, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  30. ^ "New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police endorse legislative candidates in 2021 General Election". njfop.org. New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police. September 16, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  31. ^ "Official General Election Results: General Assembly". nj.gov. New Jersey Division of Elections. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  32. ^ "General Election Results: General Assembly, 40th Legislative District". nj.gov. NJ Division of Elections. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  33. ^ "2019 General Election Results". bergencountyclerk.org. Bergen County Clerk. p. 19. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  34. ^ "Official Election Results - 2019 General Election - Summary". passaiccountynj.org. Passaic County Clerk. p. 1. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  35. ^ "2019 General Election". clarityelections.com. Essex County Clerk. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  36. ^ "2019 General Election Summary Report". morriscountyclerk.org. Morris County Clerk. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  37. ^ Wildstein, David (October 27, 2019). "Rooney, DePhillips decline second LWV debate, saying first one was unfair". newjerseyglobe.com. New Jersey Globe. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  38. ^ "2019-official-general-results-general-assembly.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  39. ^ Cowen, Richard. "Corrado slate wins GOP nod in 40th District", The Record, June 6, 2017. Accessed January 22, 2018. "Passaic County Clerk Kristin Corrado and her Bergen County running mates Kevin Rooney and Christopher DePhillips on Tuesday won the Republican primary in the 40th Legislative District, ending the comeback bids of Paul DiGaetano and Norman Robertson.... Corrado's running mates, Rooney and DePhillips, also beat their opponents in the race for state Assembly, Robertson and Joseph Bubba Jr., by margins of better than 2 to 1."
  40. ^ Cowen, Richard. "District 40, always a GOP stronghold, up for grabs on Tuesday", The Record, November 4, 2017. Accessed January 22, 2018. "Democrats have never won a seat in the 40th District since it was formed in 1973, but that losing streak could end this coming Tuesday."
  41. ^ Hetrick, Christian. "Democratic Poll Shows Close Assembly Race in Unlikely District", The New York Observer, November 6, 2017. Accessed January 22, 2018. "Republicans have dominated Assembly races in New Jersey's 40th legislative district going back at least four decades, but they could be in trouble this year, according to a poll commissioned by Democrats. Democratic Assembly candidates Christine Ordway and Paul Vagianos are tied with Assemblyman Kevin Rooney (R-Bergen) and his GOP running mate, Christopher DePhillips, according to an internal poll of likely voters. The Democratic and Republican tickets each got 39 percent support in the survey by Public Policy Polling, which had a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points and showed that 21 percent of respondents were undecided."
  42. ^ Official List Candidates for General Assembly For General Election 11/07/2017 Election Archived December 5, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of State, dated November 29, 2017. Accessed January 22, 2018.
  43. ^ Cowen, Richard. "Democratic turnout, money factors in Republican losses in Bergen and Passaic counties", The Record, November 9, 2017. Accessed January 22, 2018. "The split in the ranks of the Passaic Republicans is in part the result of the political dogfight in District 40. Former Passaic County Clerk Kristin Corrado captured the state Senate seat in District 40, beating Tom Duch. Her two Republican running mates for Assembly, Kevin Rooney and Chris DePhillips, both of Wyckoff, also beat back a challenge from Democrats Christine Ordway and Paul Vagianos."
  44. ^ "2017-official-general-election-results-general-assembly.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 21, 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
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