Murphy picks Suárez as Community Affairs commissioner

Jacquelyn A. Suárez has been named acting commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Gov. Phil Murphy announced today.   She’ll replace Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, who died on August 1.

Murphy said he will formally nominate the 36-year-old Suárez for the post when the Senate returns into session after the November general election.

Choosing Suárez means Murphy passed over Kimberley Holmes, Oliver’s chief of staff at DCA.

Suárez has been director of the department’s Division of Local Government Services since 2021.  She spent more than two years as an associate counsel to Murphy and worked as a legislative liaison at DCA for three years during Gov. Chris Christie’s second term.   She also chairs the New Jersey Local Finance Board.

“Jacquelyn has skillfully served our state for many years – lending her expertise to important legal and policy matters affecting municipalities throughout New Jersey,” Murphy said.  “When local governments were faced with tremendous challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, she stepped up as head of the Division of Local Government Services and provided local leaders with the support they needed during a difficult time. While Sheila Oliver can never truly be replaced, Jacquelyn will undoubtedly carry on Sheila’s legacy of passionate, dedicated leadership of this department on behalf of New Jersey’s communities.”

Suárez must get signoff from two Monmouth County senators to win Senate confirmation, Vin Gopal (D-Long Branch) and Declan O’Scanlon (R-Little Silver).  That could change if the Senate doesn’t move on Suárez during the current session and Gopal loses re-election this year.

Three Republican lawmakers from Atlantic County who have worked with Suárez on issues involving the state’s management of Atlantic City praised her nomination.

“Jacquelyn is one of the best we have worked with, and we are excited to continue our efforts working with her in her new role,” said State Sen. Vincent Polistina (R-Little Egg Harbor), Assemblywoman Claire Swift (R-Margate) and Assemblyman Donald Guardian (R-Atlantic City), a former mayor.

A group of three Latina legislators – State Sen. Nellie Pou (D-North Haledon) and Assemblywomen Annette Quijano (D-Elizabeth) and Yvonne Lopez (D-Perth Amboy) – also backed up Murphy’s pick of Suárez.  So did two urban mayors., Andre Sayegh of Paterson and Reed Gusciora of Trenton, and New Jersey League of Municipalities Executive Director Michael Cerra.

“Having worked under the remarkable leadership of Lieutenant Governor Oliver, it is my pleasure to continue moving her legacy forward in serving the communities of our great state,” stated  Suárez.  “DCA plays a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of life for New Jersey residents, municipalities, and businesses – and I will remain steadfast in my commitment to honor each and every one of our communities with the utmost respect and dedication.”