In a conversation this morning with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee,

acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport vowed a close partnership with the legislature and all levels of law enforcement.

"Listening to people and bringing people together is how we build trust and how we keep people safe," said Davenport, Governor Mikie Sherrill's choice as Attorney General.

Originally from Wildwood, educated at Seton Hall University Law, and now living in Monmouth County, Davenport started out as an intelligence analyst for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). She later worked at the U.S. Attorney's Office, where she served for seven years and worked as chief of the general crimes unit.

If confirmed by the Legislature for the position of New Jersey's top cop, Davenport said she would prioritize keeping people safe and serving the public by protecting communities from gun violence and combating human trafficking.

She thanked Sherrill for the Governor's nomination and Monmouth County senators Vin Gopal and Declan O'Scanlon for their support of her candidacy.

In her opening remarks, the acting AG said when necessary, she will "protect New Jerseyans" from the Trump Administration misapplication of law and/or "from whatever the source."

The senators who began their lines of questioning immediately focused on cannabis.

Senator Joe Lagana (D-36) cited numerous - even rampant - violations of New Jersey's marijuana legalization, with too many grey areas creating confusion for law enforcement, including the sale of hemp disguised in candy and victimizing children.  Would Davenport support legislative reforms or a mandate by her office?

"I share your concern," Davenport told the senator. "Legal marijuana and the cannabis trade only works if you can deter the unlawful part."

The acting AG said it comes down to the state's partnerships with law enforcement. "We've been given the tools already to help put together guidance so we can have real change on the ground," Davenport said, emphasizing communications and partnerships with prosecutors and law enforcement

Following up on Lagana's question, state Senator M. Teresa Ruiz (D-29) likewise

expressed concern about a multitude of unenforced marijuana regulations.

Chair of the Judiciary Committee, state Senator Brian P. Stack (D-33) - who also serves as mayor of Union City - also complained about the confusion of cannabis legalization for law enforcement.

"I was never a fan but it is what it is," said Stack, who later requested Davenport's help to curtail the use of marijuana by cops, firefighters and heavy equipment operators.

She agreed.

State Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40) wanted commitment from Davenport to close cases related to voter fraud, especially in her home county of Passaic. "We have two elected officials who have run for reelection, one is running for mayor [of Paterson] and it sends a really bad message. It's become commonplace. We have a prosecutor who says voter fraud's not a crime."

Said Davenport: "Justice delayed is not good for anyone."

Corrado was referring - in part - to this:

More criminal charges have been filed against Paterson City Council President Alex Mendez in connection with an alleged voter fraud scheme dating the May 2020 election.

Mendez and his wife face new charges in the 20-count superseding indictment including attempts to tamper with a witness to the alleged ballot stuffing scheme.

Mendez has served on the council for nearly five years – including being re-elected in 2024 – since he was accused of stealing mail-in ballots with numerous co-conspirators in the run-up to the 2020 election. The New Jersey State Attorney General’s office alleged Mendez and several co-conspirators stole mail-in ballots, falsified them, and then stuffed hundreds of them in a mailbox in Haledon to try to win the election.