5 Essential Facts About Tahesha Way: New Jersey's Secretary Of State And Lt. Governor In 2025
Contents
The Complete Biography and Political Journey of Tahesha Way
The current Secretary of State, Tahesha Leila Way (née Wright), has a deep background in both law and public service that prepared her for her current dual-role leadership position.- Full Name: Tahesha Leila Way (née Wright)
- Date of Birth: 1971 or 1972
- Home City: Passaic County, New Jersey
- Family: Married to Charles Way, with four children.
- Education: Graduated from Brown University (undergraduate) and received her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Virginia School of Law.
- Legal and Judicial Career: She is an attorney and a jurist by training. Her career includes serving as an Administrative Law Judge.
- Early Political Role: Prior to her cabinet appointment, she served as a Passaic County Freeholder, gaining experience in local county government.
- Secretary of State Appointment: Appointed by Governor Phil Murphy, she began serving as the 34th Secretary of State in 2018.
- Lieutenant Governor Appointment: On September 8, 2023, she was sworn in as New Jersey's 3rd Lieutenant Governor, succeeding the late Sheila Oliver.
- Current Status (2025): She is currently serving as both Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State, with her term as Lt. Governor ending in January 2026.
- Recent Political News: In December 2025, she launched a high-profile Congressional Bid for New Jersey's 11th District (NJ-11). [cite: 3 from second search]
The Dual Role: Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State Priorities in 2025
Tahesha Way’s unique position as both Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State means she balances two distinct, yet complementary, sets of responsibilities. As Lieutenant Governor, she is the second-highest-ranking official, ready to assume the governorship if necessary, and she is a key advisor to Governor Phil Murphy. [cite: 6 from third search] Her priorities in 2025 reflect this dual mandate, focusing on issues that impact all New Jersey residents.1. Upholding Election Integrity and Voter Access
As the state's chief election official, a significant portion of her work is dedicated to the Division of Elections. This includes overseeing all state and local elections, ensuring fair voting processes, and promoting participation. [cite: 5 from second search] * Election Security: A core priority for Lt. Governor Way is maintaining the security and integrity of New Jersey's election systems. [cite: 2 from second search] * Voter Education: Her office continuously reminds eligible voters about the three main ways to cast a ballot: at a polling place on Election Day, through early in-person voting, or by mail-in ballot. [cite: 6 from second search] * Addressing Threats: Her office has been proactive in addressing modern challenges, including issuing statements on security concerns like Election Day bomb threats to polling locations, reinforcing the state's commitment to a safe voting environment. [cite: 7 from second search]2. Driving Economic Development and Housing Initiatives
The Lieutenant Governor’s office is often tasked with leading major state initiatives. In 2025, Way has been actively involved in the state’s economic and housing agenda. She participated as a distinguished guest at the Governor's Conference on Housing and Economic Development in September 2025, underscoring her commitment to these critical issues. [cite: 8 from second search]The Core Functions of the New Jersey Department of State
The New Jersey Department of State (DOS) is a principal department in the executive branch, and the Secretary of State is responsible for overseeing its diverse divisions. The DOS acts as the state’s central administrative and cultural hub.A. Business and Commercial Services
The Secretary of State's office is the primary authority for registering and regulating businesses in New Jersey. This involves managing the state’s official commercial records, including corporate charters and Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings. * Streamlining Business Registration: A legislative focus in the 2024-2025 session has been on simplifying the process for small businesses. Proposed legislation, such as S1347, aims to permit certain businesses to complete their business registration certificate and annual report filing together, a major efficiency boost for New Jersey’s entrepreneurial sector. [cite: 10 from second search] * Online Services: The Department manages the state's online portal for businesses to file annual reports, change registered agents, and reinstate or close a business, making compliance significantly easier. [cite: 12, 14 from second search]B. Arts, Culture, and Historical Preservation
The Department of State is the official steward of New Jersey’s rich cultural and historical assets, overseeing several key entities that provide funding and support across the state. * NJ State Arts Council: The DOS is responsible for the New Jersey State Arts Council, which in 2025 approved over $29 million in grants to support arts organizations and cultural programming. [cite: 16 from second search] * NJ Cultural Trust: The Department also manages the New Jersey Cultural Trust, which offers Institutional/Financial Stabilization Grants for arts and cultural organizations, with FY 2025 grants being a major focus. [cite: 4 from second search] * Historical Commission and State Archives: The DOS also houses the New Jersey Historical Commission and the State Archives, safeguarding the state’s most vital historical records and promoting historical literacy.The Political Future: A Congressional Bid and National Leadership
Beyond her administrative duties, Tahesha Way has garnered national attention. She has the distinction of being the first Black person to lead the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), showcasing her influence beyond the Garden State. [cite: 8 from third search] Most recently, her political trajectory has taken a significant turn with the announcement of her Congressional Bid for New Jersey's 11th District in December 2025. [cite: 3 from second search] This move indicates a desire to transition her experience in state-level public administration and election oversight to the federal stage, potentially bringing her focus on election security and voter rights to a national platform. Her leadership has been lauded by key organizations, including the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), highlighting her broad support across different sectors of the state. [cite: 13 from first search, 19 from second search] As the state moves forward, the role of the Secretary of State, particularly under the dynamic leadership of Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, will remain central to New Jersey's administrative stability, democratic processes, and cultural vitality. The ongoing updates to business registration, the focus on election security, and the crucial support for the arts community all underscore the vast and essential responsibilities of the New Jersey Department of State.
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