The Senate Judiciary Committee this morning unanimously backed Tahesha Way of Wayne to serve as Secretary of State in the administration of Governor Phil Murphy.

Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40) initially had reservations, which delayed this morning’s hearing, but eventually spoke to Way and today affirmed her.

A former Passaic County Freeholder, Way lost her 2009 reelection bid in the same year that Chris Christie defeated incumbent Governor Jon Corzine. Just prior to that election she was in the mix as a possible lieutenant governor candidate on a ticket with Corzine, a job that ultimately went to Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-37), who today voted aye as a member of the Judiciary Committee.

That was the same year, in fact, that Corrado first won her Passaic County Clerk seat, partly on Christie’s coattails.

“She seems eminently qualified and I’m delighted that her nomination has moved forward,” Weinberg told InsiderNJ.

A Brown University graduate with a law degree from the University of Virginia, Way is a close political ally of Democratic State Party Chairman John Currie, one of the key North Jersey political players who made Murphy governor. She is the wife of former New York Giants running back Charles Way.

“Thoughtful, well-prepared and willing to collaborate,” said state Senator Paul Sarlo (D-36), a member of the committee. “She did an outstanding job on responding to questions from committee members on protecting voting rights and expansion of voting rights as well as tourism and branding New Jersey as a destination with a rich history.

“On a personal level, Tahesha Way and her husband Charles know the value of giving back to their community,” Sarlo added. “Real solid family.”