Official Site of The State of New Jersey

TRENTON – Yesterday, Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill nominated Jen Davenport to be the next Attorney General of New Jersey. Davenport’s earned bipartisan praise for her nearly 15 years of law enforcement experience and ability to forge strong partnerships with local groups to ensure that communities are safe and that everyone has opportunity. After the announcement, Davenport cleared the first nomination hurdle in minutes.  

Read more coverage about Attorney General-designate Jen Davenport:  

NJ Globe: Sherrill AG pick clears senatorial courtesy hurdle in minutes 

• Two state senators from Monmouth County have signed off on Gov.-elect Mike Sherrill’s nomination of Jennifer Davenport as the 57th Attorney General of New Jersey. 
• Support from Senate Majority Whip Vin Gopal (D-Long Branch) and State Sen. Declan O’Scanlon (R-Little Silver), the Senate Minority Budget Officer, allows Davenport to pass the first hurdle of the confirmation process.  In New Jersey, gubernatorial nominees must obtain the sign-off of home county senators through an unwritten process called senatorial courtesy. 
• “We applaud the selection of Monmouth County’s own Jen Davenport as Governor-elect Sherrill’s nominee for Attorney General,” said Gopal and O’Scanlon.  “Throughout her career, she has been a friend to law enforcement and has worked tirelessly to prosecute crimes and keep our communities safe.” 

Politico: Mikie Sherrill’s attorney general pick for New Jersey vows to tackle affordability — and Trump 

• Davenport has earned a reputation as a hard-nosed prosecutor, having worked in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for seven years — where she overlapped with Sherrill — and as a top official in the Murphy administration’s Department of Law and Public Safety and at the Drug Enforcement Administration. Sherrill commended Davenport for having “earned the respect” of “law enforcement groups and the NAACP and clergy members alike.” 
• Former Republican Gov. Chris Christie — who seldom weighs in on state issues — told POLITICO that Davenport was a “very good choice” and “an excellent prosecutor.” Christie, a former federal prosecutor, said he hired Davenport to serve in the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 
• “[She] is the kind of person who works extraordinarily well with people across departments,” Christie said. “I think it could be a new era of working together with the State Police and the other county prosecutors across the state. She’s a really collaborative person, and I think that’s something that’s sorely needed in the Attorney General’s office right now and I think she’ll bring that.” 
• Sherrill said Monday that Davenport will also take on Big Tech and PJM, which has been a target of Democratic and GOP state leaders. Davenport added that she will be focusing on public safety — like combating human trafficking and guns — amid the upcoming World Cup, which will draw large crowds to the state. 
• Former Attorney General Chris Porrino — who served in the Christie administration — heaped praise on Davenport, saying he was “excited” by her serving. Davenport, he said, is “not someone who searches out the spotlight” or a “desire for publicity.” 

BINJE: Nomination of Davenport as attorney general draws high praise 

• Governor‑elect Mikie Sherrill’s choice of Jen Davenport as New Jersey’s next attorney general drew admiration from someone who knows the weight of the office better than most: Former Attorney General Chris Porrino. 
• In an era when prosecutorial decisions are often viewed through a political lens, Porrino sees Davenport as a throwback. 
• “This is what I think people want to see in our law enforcement leaders: Someone who’s going to be committed to getting it right, committed to the rule of law and not swayed in making those critically important decisions based on anything other than trying to do the right thing,” he said. 
• Porrino said Davenport’s resume enables her to do just that. 
• Davenport’s credibility across the spectrum sets her apart, Porrino said. 

Daily Record: Jennifer Davenport is the attorney general NJ deserves | Opinion by Christopher S. Porrino 

• I have known Davenport for many years, having worked closely with her in some of the most challenging, high-pressure settings that government-related service can produce. In every instance, she has shown the same hallmarks of leadership: she is steady, open-minded and extraordinarily effective. What distinguishes her is not volume or theatrics, but the quiet authority that comes from expertise rather than ego. 
• Davenport's career reflects a lifetime commitment to public service. Before rising to the top ranks of the state Department of Law and Public Safety, she served for years as a federal prosecutor and as a senior lawyer with the Drug Enforcement Administration. That combination — deep experience at both the federal and state levels — is hard to find. It gives her a full understanding of how to combat violent crime — by working closely with law enforcement, partnering with federal agencies when appropriate and building cases that are strong, ethical and fair. In these prior roles, Davenport also forged deep bonds with faith and community leaders. As a former attorney general, I cannot overstate the importance of having the trust of both law enforcement officers and the diverse communities they serve. 
• ...while Davenport has held some of the most demanding roles in government, including serving twice as first assistant attorney general, she has also worked in the private sector. This experience will help her navigate complex challenges involving the business community in a practical and commonsense manner. 
• At a time when trust in government across the nation is teetering, Jen Davenport is exactly the kind of leader who will help restore public confidence. Governor-elect Sherrill has made a brilliant selection and deserves a standing ovation for this decision. 

Jersey Vindicator: Sherrill names veteran prosecutor Jennifer Davenport as New Jersey attorney general pick 

• Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill on Monday morning announced Jennifer Davenport as her nominee for New Jersey attorney general, tapping a longtime prosecutor and former senior official in the Attorney General’s Office to serve as the state’s top law enforcement officer as the incoming administration takes shape. 
• Davenport served for four years in prominent roles at the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, including as first assistant attorney general and principal law enforcement adviser. She also served as New Jersey’s commissioner on the Waterfront Commission, where she focused on corruption in the New York and New Jersey harbor. 

101.5: Mikie Sherrill taps seasoned prosecutor to lead powerful AG’s Office   

• Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill has tapped a tested New Jersey prosecutor as the next state attorney general. 
• Davenport has held various titles over the years, including Assistant U.S. Attorney, counsel to the state Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and acting Union County prosecutor. 
• She also has experience within the Attorney General's Office, which she will now lead. In 2018, Gov. Phil Murphy appointed Davenport as first assistant attorney general. 
• "We shared a productive working relationship with Ms. Davenport during her time as First Assistant Attorney General under former AG Gurbir Grewal, and we are hopeful that under her leadership, the Office will continue to build upon the work of defending the rights of all New Jerseyans," [ACLU of New Jersey Executive Director] Sinha said. 

NJ.com: N.J. attorney general pick just made a bold promise about standing up to Trump 

• Sherrill previously said she wanted an attorney general willing to take on President Donald Trump’s administration. Davenport echoed that stance. 
• “From taking on gun violence and human trafficking, to protecting our children, to ensuring affordability, to defending New Jerseyans from attacks out of Washington, I will build on my career in law enforcement and in public service to protect New Jerseyans every day,” she said. 

Gothamist: Mikie Sherrill announces pick for NJ attorney general 

• New Jersey Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill and her pick for state’s attorney general, Jennifer Davenport, signaled they’re ready to take on Donald Trump and his administration during today’s announcement of Davenport’s nomination. 
• “She’s not afraid to stand up to anyone, including the President, and we will take the administration to court if needed to make sure that New Jersey is getting our tax dollars back to invest in our schools, food assistance programs, healthcare, and the Gateway Tunnel, just to name a few,” Sherrill remarked Monday. 
• Davenport echoed Sherrill’s resolve to take on Washington if she gets the job. 
• Current Attorney General Matt Platkin was quick to endorse Davenport’s nomination Monday and pledged to work with her to ensure a “smooth and productive transition.” 
• On Monday, Davenport quickly cleared the first hurdle in the nomination process — while gaining bipartisan support at the same time.