Veteran NJ Broadcast Journalist Michael Aron Dies at 78

NEW JERSEY — Award-winning broadcast journalist Michael Aron, the chief New Jersey political correspondent on the state’s public television stations for four decades, died on Tuesday. He was 78.

Considered the “dean of the Statehouse Press Corps,” Aron was a daily fixture on NJ PBS News and on the former New Jersey Network (NJN) News.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE TAPINTO.NET NEWSLETTER

During his long and storied career, Aron interviewed every New Jersey governor from Brendan Byrne to Phil Murphy; every state Supreme Court chief justice, scores of state and federal lawmakers; and every significant political issue. Aron semi-retired in 2020, but he continued to do in-depth reports for NJ PBS.

Aron also wrote for national and local outlets, including NJ Spotlight, Rolling Stone, Harper’s Magazine, and New Jersey Monthly, where he was an editor. He also authored a book about the heated 1993 Christie Whitman–Jim Florio gubernatorial campaign.

He received the League of Municipalities’ Distinguished Public Service Award in 2015, and the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award in New Jersey Journalism.

A Montclair resident, Aron was a graduate of Harvard University and Princeton University's School of Public & International Affairs.

DOWNLOAD THE FREE TAPINTO APP FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS. AVAILABLE IN THE APPLE STORE AND THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE .

His passing brought an outpouring of condolences from notable New Jersey politicians and journalists. Here’s just a sample:

GOV. PHIL MURPHY
“For nearly four decades, Michael shed a bright light on Trenton and kept the people of New Jersey informed on the latest developments in our state government. He was a legend of local media that was greatly admired and respected by leaders across the political spectrum. And his career, which stretched back to the days of Governor Brendan Byrne, helped shape the history of New Jersey for the better.”
“(Tammy and I) had the pleasure of knowing Michael personally for more than 20 years. And over the course of our friendship, we were charmed by the very same qualities that endeared him to the people of New Jersey—his intellect, his conviviality, and his passion for journalism.”

ASSEMBLY SPEAKER CRAIG COUGHLIN
“Sad to hear reports of Michael Aron’s passing. He was a good man and an insightful, thorough, and fair reporter. ‘The Dean of the Jersey Press Corps’ informed and engaged our state with his journalism and entertained us with his gift for storytelling. RIP.”

SENATE PRESIDENT NICHOLAS SCUTARI
“Michael Aron’s decades-long dedication to reporting on our state’s political scene was unmatched. His work shaped the public’s understanding and trust in our democratic process. A tremendous loss for journalism and our community.”

FORMER GOV. JAMES E. MCGREEVEY
“Michael Aron of blessed memory was a person of integrity, thoughtful, probing journalist, and the epitome of decency. Michael was gifted with a quick and incisive sense of humor, encyclopedic knowledge of New Jersey policy and politics, and a rigorous mind. Requiescat In Pace.”

MARY ALICE WILLIAMS, FORMER NJ PBS ANCHOR
“Michael Aron was a Titan. He was a soft-spoken, hard-hitting journalist who set the standards of integrity and grit for generations of young reporters who aspired to give voice to the issues of our state and to the disparate communities it serves. He was also, and always, a gentleman and a very dear friend. We are all better for the life he lived and deeply saddened by his loss.”

Read more: NJ PBS and The WNET Group Mourn the Passing of Acclaimed Journalist Michael Aron

For more local news, visit TAPinto.net