"Senate Democrats emerged from a Statehouse meeting room a few minutes ago, saying Sen. Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester) has been voted Senate president, replacing Richard Codey, the Essex County Democrat who long led the Senate's Democratic caucus.

Codey left the second-floor caucus room at 2:50 p.m. and made only a brief comment to reporters waiting outside. "A lot of blood on the floor there," he said without elaboration. 

Sen. Ron Rice (D-Essex), a Codey ally, confirmed that Sweeney had been elected by the Democratic majority to lead the Senate beginning in January. Rice did not say what the vote was or how the discussion went. Codey had been planning to make a final statement to his colleagues, though he understood he did not have the votes to best Sweeney.

Sweeney immediately headed to a joint news conference with Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver (D-Essex), who was elected earlier today to become the next Assembly speaker. The dramatic change in leadership in both houses was set in motion with the summertime retirement by Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts (D-Camden).

Codey later released a statement congratulating Sweeney and Oliver. Codey said there were many challenges ahead and he is looking forward to "working cooperatively with the new leadership to help tackle the pressing problems facing our state."

"It’s been a great honor to serve as the leader of the Senate Democratic Majority for the past eight years," Codey said in the statement. "This has, without question, been one of the greatest experiences of my life and I’m proud of the many progressive accomplishments we have made on behalf of the residents of New Jersey."