Sarlo supports Noriega nomination

State Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Wood-Ridge) today announced he’ll support Michael Noriega’s nomination to the New Jersey Supreme Court, putting Noriega at 16 of the 21 votes he’ll need for Senate confirmation.

“Mr. Noriega has gained widespread respect for his integrity, dedication to the law and passion for justice,” Sarlo said in a statement. “He is well equipped to serve on the state’s highest court and I look forward to supporting his nomination.”

Gov. Phil Murphy nominated Noriega, an immigration and criminal lawyer and a former public defender, to the Supreme Court two weeks ago; since then, Noriega’s nomination has rapidly accumulated support, and it’s not expected to face significant roadblocks when it comes before the Senate.

Before he can reach that point, however, Noriega has to get signoff from his three home county senators in Union County. Two of them, Senate President Nick Scutari (D-Linden) and State Sen. Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield), have already given it, while State Sen. Joe Cryan (D-Union) has not yet announced his intentions.

If eventually confirmed, Noriega will take the seat formerly held by Justice Barry Albin, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 70 last July. Noriega, like Albin, is expected to be part of the court’s liberal bloc, though that hasn’t stopped several Republican senators from backing his nomination.