Michael Aron, a legendary New Jersey political broadcast journalist who was prestigiously dubbed the “dean of the state house press corps” and once served as editor of New Jersey Monthly, died this week. He was 78 years old.
For more than 40 years, Aron worked as the chief political correspondent for New Jersey’s public television news organizations. That included NJ Spotlight News (which is the the news division of NJ PBS), its predecessor NJTV News and the now-defunct New Jersey Network (NJN). Aron “semi-retired” in 2020 but contributed to NJ Spotlight News.
“Few journalists ever garner the widespread level of respect Michael Aron achieved,” Neal Shapiro, WNET Group president and CEO, said in a statement. “He earned it with an unbiased, methodical and unwavering investigative style examining the issues, policies and stakeholders affecting state residents. He was one of a kind and will be missed; however his standards and practices live on in the NJ Spotlight News newsroom and continue to inspire our staff today.”
Photo: Joseph Sinnott/NJ PBS
Aron served as this very magazine’s editor in the late 1970s-early 1980s and was instrumental in publishing one of New Jersey Monthly‘s most high-profile articles ever: “My Search for Einstein’s Brain.” The popular broadcaster Paul Harvey even ran a radio segment on the article. “He did a whole bit about how this little magazine in New Jersey had found Einstein’s brain,” Aron recalled to New Jersey Monthly in 2016. “That was a coup.”
Upon the news of Aron’s passing, condolences poured in from friends, colleagues and politicians whom he’d covered over the years.
“Tammy and I are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend, and the longtime Dean of the State House press corps, Michael Aron,” Governor Phil Murphy said. “We will miss Michael dearly, and are sending our heartfelt prayers and condolences to his family and former colleagues in the press corps.”
Former Governor Chris Christie called Aron’s passing “the end of an era.”
Aron interviews former Governor Chris Christie in 2020 Drumthwacket. Photo courtesy of NJ PBS
“Michael was smart, scrupulously prepared and always on a hunt for the truth. He covered me and my team for 15 years as US Attorney and Governor. He did so without fear or favor. His eyes never blinked watching us. He was a pro,” said Christie.
Rep. Mikie Sherrill said, “Michael Aron was a legend, a dogged reporter, and a mentor to so many journalists in New Jersey. I always loved talking to him. He was a truth seeker who represented the best of the profession. Sending my sincere condolences to Michael’s family, loved ones, and colleagues.”
Former NJ PBS news anchor Mary Alice Williams called Aron 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.”
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