Monday, Jan. 14, 2002

CEO Race: Jersey vs. Argentina

By Harriet Barovick

And you thought Argentina, with its five Presidents in two weeks, was confusing. Because of a quirk in New Jersey's constitution, that state will have four Governors in nine days this month. Governor Donald DiFrancesco will step down on Jan. 8, when the new legislature is sworn in. But Governor-elect Jim McGreevey will not take office until Jan. 15. State law decrees that in the interim the post must be filled by the senate president. But because the senate is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, the leader of each party will run the state for three days. And all plan on camping out in the Governor's mansion.

--By Harriet Barovick

Argentina [5 presidents]

Fernando de la Rua: resigns on Dec. 20 Ramon Puerta: Dec. 21-23 Adolfo Rodriguez Saa: Dec. 23-30 Eduardo Camano: Dec. 31-Jan. 1 Eduardo Duhalde: inaugurated on Jan. 2

New Jersey [4 governors]

Donald DiFrancesco (R.): steps down on Jan. 8 John Bennett (R.): Jan. 8-11 Richard Codey (D.): Jan. 12-15 Jim McGreevey (D.): takes office on Jan. 15