N.J.’s Christie Taps Former AG as Port Authority Chairman

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie picked former state Attorney General David Samson to replace Anthony Coscia on Thursday as chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Coscia has served as chairman of the bi-state agency since 2003.

Samson’s nomination is subject to state Senate confirmation. The 71-year-old Republican was attorney general from 2002 to 2003 and was counsel to Christie’s gubernatorial campaign and co-chair of his transition team.

He was a founding member of New Jersey-based law firm Wolff & Samson PC whose practice includes public finance. Wolff & Samson has served as bond counsel on deals totaling $16.46 billion since 2001, including $243.9 million so far this year, according to Thomson Reuters.

Samson served former governors James Florio and Thomas Kean on a commission and a task force.

“David Samson is a well-respected, distinguished leader who I am confident will successfully steer the Port Authority through this next critical phase in the bi-state agency’s history,” Christie said in a press release.

The authority’s chairman, who is unpaid and sets its policies, is selected by the New Jersey governor. Its day-to-day operations are run by its executive director, who is chosen by the governor of New York.

A Port Authority spokesman said Coscia has not announced plans to step down from the board. Coscia was involved with the agency’s $29.5 billion 2007 to 2016 capital plan and has been a key player in the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site.

The authority operates four airports in the metropolitan region, along with commuter rail, bridges, tunnels, maritime ports, and a bus terminal in Manhattan. It also owns the WTC site.

Coscia, a partner at the law firm Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf LLP, may be headed for a more prominent national role after being confirmed to Amtrak’s board in June. U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who nominated Coscia to the Amtrak post, would like to see him become its chairman, a spokeswoman for the New Jersey Democrat confirmed.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
Transportation industry New York New Jersey
MORE FROM BOND BUYER