Senate President Names Veteran Staffer to Succeed Departing Andrew Hendry; Lynn Haynes Promoted to Deputy Exec. Dir. & General Counsel
TRENTON – Senate President Steve Sweeney today announced that Tim Lydon will be the next executive director of the Senate Democratic Office, replacing Andrew Hendry, who is leaving to become the new president and chief executive officer of the New Jersey Utilities Association.
Sweeney also announced that Lynn Haynes, the office’s current general counsel, will be promoted to deputy executive director and general counsel.
“For nearly three years, Andrew has had one of the toughest jobs in Trenton, but I know Tim will be able to step up and seamlessly take the reins,” said Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Cumberland/Salem).
Lydon currently serves as deputy executive director for the Senate Democrats, a position he has held since January 2010. He had also been the office’s general counsel. Tim had previously served on the Senate Democratic staff before being named chief of staff to the late US Rep. John Adler in 2009 and later director of cabinet affairs under Gov. Jon Corzine. He had been an associate at the law firm of Debevoise and Plimpton, and clerked for US Appeals Court Judge M. Blane Michael.
He is a graduate of Gettysburg College and the Georgetown University Law Center, where he was also editor of the Georgetown Law Review. Lydon lives in East Brunswick with this wife and two children.
“Tim will ensure that the high caliber of work that was Andrew’s hallmark continues,” said Sweeney. “Tim not only has the full confidence and respect of Senate leadership, but the entire caucus and staff. He is a quick study, an unflappable and steady hand, and a tremendous asset. Heading our caucus is not always easy, but just as Andrew did, Tim will certainly make it look like it is.”
“While Andrew’s absence will leave a real void, with Tim at the helm we know that void will not be in intelligence or leadership,” said Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen). “Just like Andrew, Tim is a real fighter who makes sure we don’t waiver from our core Democratic principles of fighting for the middle class, improving our economy for all residents and looking out for our most vulnerable. We all wish Andrew the best, and look forward to working with Tim to ensure our caucus remains strong.”
Prior to joining the Senate Democratic Office in January 2010, Haynes served as assistant commissioner of income security at the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. She is also a former New Jersey deputy attorney general.
“Lynn brought considerable legal and policy experience to her current role, and she will be an even more invaluable member of our staff in her new position,” said Sweeney. “Lynn’s been an excellent and respected counselor to our members, and that, no doubt, will continue.”
Prior to taking the helm of the Senate Democratic Office in January 2010, Hendry was an aide to then-Majority Leader Sweeney, director of governmental affairs for Comcast, and served on the staff of both the Assembly Democrats and the Office of Legislative Services.
“Andrew has been my right hand for some of the toughest fights in the State House in recent memory, and always served the people with a level head, strategic thinking and a passion for getting things done,” said Sweeney. “His insights and abilities will be sorely missed. He has been a real leader in our office, and I am proud of the tremendous reputation our staff has earned under his leadership and friendship. Without him, many of the reforms we have put into place to create a better New Jersey would not have been possible.”
Hendry’s last day will be Nov. 9.