Kris Kolluri on Thursday became the first Indian-American to become the governor of a US state -- New Jersey -- albeit for a day.
Kolluri, 38, who is transportation commissioner and a minister in Governor Jon Corizine's Cabinet, was the last in the line of succession.
On Thursday, Governor and President of the State Senate Richard Codey, Speaker Joe Roberts and Attorney General Stuart Rabner were on holiday and the burden of office fell on 38-year old Kolluri.
Kolluri, who emigrated to New Jersey from India with his family in 1985, is also the first Indian-American to hold a Cabinet post in New Jersey.