Two key lawmakers said today they would support Gov. Phil Murphy’s nomination of John Jay Hoffman as an associate justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.
Backing from Senate President Nicholas Scutari and Senate Judiciary Committee Brian P. Stack is a good sign of support from the Senate as they begin the process of confirming Hoffman to succeed Justice Lee Solomon, who reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70 on August 17.
“I have known John Hoffman for close to two decades. He’s an outstanding lawyer with a family tradition of representing the people of the state of New Jersey in public and private service,” Scutari said. “He’s a man known for his intellect, integrity, and professionalism. I am confident he has all the attributes to be an excellent associate justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.”
Scutari spoke at a statehouse announcement today.
On Saturday, hours after the New Jersey Globe first reported Murphy’s intention to nominate Hoffman, Stack said he would support his confirmation.
Hoffman, 58, who is not affiliated with any political party, would take a Republican seat on a top court that traditionally has no more than four of its seven members from one political party. Hoffman has close ties to the GOP: he served as acting attorney general under Gov. Chris Christie for nearly three years and as executive assistant attorney general under Attorney General Jeff Chiesa.
Senate Minority Leader Anthony M. Bucco praised Hoffman’s nomination.
“John’s distinguished career, in both public service and private practice, leaves him with a wealth of experience. He is well-known as a top-tier legal mind, and he has a proven track record of serving the people of New Jersey with integrity and impartiality,” Bucco said. “As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I look forward to meeting with John as his nomination moves through the rigorous vetting that is part of the Senate’s advice and consent process. As we begin our review, I have every expectation that he will affirm his fitness for the position to myself and my colleagues from both sides of the aisle.”
Bucco also paid tribute to Solomon, who served as a Republican assemblyman, Camden County freeholder, Camden County Prosecutor, Deputy U.S. Attorney, and Superior Court judge, before moving to the Supreme Court.
“The New Jersey Supreme Court is one of the most respected high courts in the nation, and that is in large part due to the longstanding tradition of political balance among its membership,” Bucco stated. “Justice Solomon’s steady presence on the Court has been integral to preserving that balance, and I have little doubt that, if confirmed, John Hoffman would fulfill the same crucial role.”
Hoffman also has the backing of State Sen. Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield), a member of the Judiciary Committee and a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor.
“He’s a former federal prosecutor and former attorney general,” Bramnick said. “That perspective to me is really important in today’s world.”
Peter G. Verniero, a former Supreme Court Justice and state Attorney General.
“By any measure—intelligence, integrity, demeanor, or sense of fairness—John Hoffman will be an outstanding member of the Supreme Court,” said Verniero, a Republican. “I commend the Governor on his steadfast support of the Supreme Court as an institution as reflected in his various appointments to the Court.”
State Sen. Latham Tiver (R-Southampton), a freshman Republican lawmaker from Burlington County, will be a critical player in the confirmation process. Tiver and State Sen. Troy Singleton (D-Delran) both have senatorial courtesy over Hoffman.
Singleton said that Hoffman “comes highly recommended, ” and that he looks forward to having a conversation with him.
“I could not be more honored and humbled by the opportunity provided by Governor Murphy to be considered for a seat on the strongest state Supreme Court in the country, with an amazing group of current Justices, and to assume the seat of my former boss and dear friend Justice Solomon,” stated Hoffman. “Serving our state, in this capacity, is a lawyer’s dream come true. I look forward to working closely with Senate President Scutari, Senate Minority Leader Bucco, Senate Judiciary Chairman Stack, and the entire Senate as this process unfolds.”