WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: New Jersey Leaders Applaud Governor-elect Sherrill’s Attorney General Nomination

Trenton, NJ – Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill’s announcement that she will be nominating Jen Davenport to be New Jersey’s next Attorney General has been met with praise and accolades from leaders across the state. Jen Davenport is known as a tough prosecutor who cares deeply about public service, justice, and fairness, and has a long record of bringing people together to find common-sense solutions that keep people safe. Take a look at what New Jersey leaders are saying:

“We applaud the selection of Monmouth County's own Jen Davenport as Governor-elect Sherrill’s nominee for Attorney General. Throughout her career, she has been a friend to law enforcement and has worked tirelessly to prosecute crimes and keep our communities safe. We have had the opportunity to discuss very important issues with the Attorney General-Designee Davenport - including prosecuting violent criminals, going after financial crimes, battling antisemitism and discrimination, cutting red tape in departments such as the the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, and much more. We look forward to continuing these conversations in the weeks and months ahead. We look forward to working with our colleagues in the Senate to confirm her,” said Senator Vin Gopal, D-Monmouth, and Senator Declan O'Scanlon, R-Monmouth.

“I am proud to express my strong support for Jennifer Davenport as New Jersey’s next Attorney General. Having worked with her for years, I have witnessed firsthand that she leads and listens with a clear set of values rooted in public safety, fairness, accountability, and equity. I’ve seen how she makes sure our community has a seat at the table so solutions work on the ground. Governor‑elect Mikie Sherrill deserves tremendous credit for such a thoughtful and impactful choice. I look forward to working with both of them to protect New Jerseyans’ rights and freedoms,” said Reverend Dr. Charles Boyer.

"The State PBA congratulates Jennifer Davenport on her nomination to be New Jersey's next Attorney General.  Jennifer understands the responsibilities of the office, knows New Jersey law enforcement and has the experience necessary to hit the ground running.  During her time as 1st Assistant AG the State PBA had a productive and open working relationship with her and we are looking forward to continuing that with her when she becomes AG," said Peter Andreyev, President of the New Jersey Police Benevolent Association.

“The NAACP New Jersey State Conference commends Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill on the appointment of Jen Davenport as Attorney General of the State of New Jersey. At a moment when our state faces critical challenges related to justice, public safety, civil rights, and trust in government, the selection of an Attorney General carries profound significance. Jen Davenport brings to this role a reputation for integrity, legal excellence, and a demonstrated commitment to the fair and impartial administration of justice. Her appointment reflects a clear understanding that the Attorney General’s office must serve all the people of New Jersey—without fear, favor, or prejudice. Governor-Elect Sherrill’s decision signals a seriousness of purpose and a readiness to confront long standing disparities in policing, prosecution, environmental justice, voting rights, and consumer protection. We look forward to working collaboratively with Attorney General-designate Davenport to ensure that constitutional protections are not merely promised, but practiced, and that justice in New Jersey is not selective, but universal,” said Richard Smith, President of the New Jersey NAACP State Conference.

“Jen Davenport is a tough, career prosecutor, skilled attorney, and friend to law enforcement. Jen cares deeply about keeping our streets safe and ensuring that our officers have the tools they need to protect and serve New Jerseyans. I look forward to working with Jen to reduce crime, get criminals off the streets, and protect our officers,” said Andrew Caggiano, President of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.

“I spent over a decade as Commissioner of the BPU to innovate on new technologies and save New Jerseyans money – I know firsthand how hard it is to lower our utility bills and how this moment requires a different approach. Gov.-elect Sherrill and her nominee for Attorney General, Jen Davenport, are exactly the kind of leaders it will take to lower bills.  This nomination shows Mikie’s fully committed to changing the way the system works to lower costs,” said Jeanne Fox, former Commissioner of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.

“I congratulate Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill on the nomination of Jennifer Davenport to serve as New Jersey’s next Attorney General. Jen has the intellect, experience, and integrity required for the job and will be an exceptional Attorney General. As a career public servant with deep law enforcement experience, including at the Attorney General’s office, she has already done the hard work to earn the trust of her future colleagues, as well as law enforcement officers, community stakeholders, and public officials across the state. And because of that experience and credibility, she understands the immense power of the office and the need to exercise it responsibly in protecting the public, safeguarding the integrity of our institutions, and ensuring equal justice—whether the matter involves violent crime, corruption, consumer fraud, civil rights, or complex financial misconduct. Simply put, she’ll make the right calls for the right reasons and will be ready to serve New Jerseyans from day one,” said Gurbir Grewal, former Attorney General of New Jersey.

“Gov-elect Sherrill has made a superb choice in Jennifer Davenport. While relatable and understated, Jen is an extremely effective and strong leader. The hard-working people of the Department of Law and Public Safety will be inspired and motivated by her commitment to the rule of law. Her deep law enforcement experience, both state and federal, will serve her well in making our cities safer and reducing gun violence. And given her experience, both law enforcement and our communities already know and trust her. This is a confidence inspiring selection, and I will be proud to call Jen Davenport our Attorney General,” said Christopher S. Porrino, former Attorney General of New Jersey.

“Jen Davenport is wonderful choice to be New Jersey’s next Attorney General. She’s a very talented lawyer who has been a terrific federal, state, and county prosecutor. Jen has a reputation for being tough and fair, and she has skills to build and enhance trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Jen is also the kind of bold and experienced leader that New Jersey needs as Attorney General. I saw all of those qualities when we were colleagues in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and its why I promoted her twice. At a time when our legal system and fundamental freedoms are under attack from the Trump administration, I am confident that Jen will meet that challenge and keep New Jersey residents safer,” said Paul Fishman, former U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey.

“As a citizen of New Jersey, I am grateful for the nomination of Jennifer Davenport to serve as our next Attorney General.  I had the pleasure of working cooperatively with Jennifer in her role as First Assistant Attorney General during my tenure as United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey.  Jennifer is a career prosecutor that has devoted her professional life to public safety and quality-of-life for the people of New Jersey.  Jennifer is an outstanding lawyer with a stellar reputation within the New Jersey bar.  She has never let politics get in the way of doing the right thing.  Jennifer Davenport is precisely who New Jersey needs and deserves as its next Attorney General,” said Craig Carpenito, former U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey.