NJ Senate Confirms First Batch Of Gov. Sherrill's Cabinet Nominees

By Nikita Biryukov and Lilo H. Stainton, New Jersey Monitor

March 1, 2026

The New Jersey Senate confirmed five of Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s cabinet nominees in unanimous votes Tuesday.

The list includes Attorney General Jen Davenport, Treasurer Aaron Binder, Human Services Commissioner Stephen Cha, Education Commissioner Lily Laux, and Veterans Affairs Commissioner Vincent Solomeno.

In a social media post, Davenport said she is “honored” to be confirmed.

“I will serve with fairness, independence, and integrity – the same values that have guided every step of my public service,” she said.

Those five are the only Sherrill cabinet nominees to receive hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee so far, though some of her other nominees are likely to sail through confirmation.

Acting Corrections Commissioner Victoria Kuhn and acting Community Affairs Commissioner Jacquelyn Suárez were confirmed to the same positions under Murphy.

Confirmation changes little for most New Jersey cabinet positions. Acting commissioners have no less power than confirmed ones, nor do most gain any job security after clearing a vote before the full Senate.

The lone exceptions are the attorney general and secretary of state. Officials confirmed to those two positions serve terms concurrent with the governor’s and, unlike other cabinet posts, they cannot be fired by the governor.

Sherrill tapped Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell to lead the Department of State.

Counting Caldwell, three of New Jersey’s four lieutenant governors have also been secretaries of state. Late Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, the lone exception, was commissioner of community affairs.

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