Rachel Wainer Apter now has seven Senators on record as supporting her nomination to serve as an Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, with State Sens. Joseph Vitale (D-Woodbridge) and Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-Barrington) announcing their support of her confirmation.
Former Gov. Richard Codey (D-Roseland), who praised Wainer Apter’s credentials in a strong statement of support on Sunday night, told the New Jersey Globe today that he intends to vote yes on her confirmation.
In addition to Codey, Vitale and Cruz-Perez, four other senators have publicly announced that they will support her nomination: Joseph Cryan (D-Union), Patrick Diegnan (D-South Plainfield), Teresa Ruiz (D-Newark) and Robert Singer (R-Lakewood).
Gov Phil Murphy announced his nomination of Wainer Apter on Monday to succeed retiring Associate Justice Jaynee LaVecchia.
“From her time at the ACLU protecting a woman’s right to choose, or in her current role at the Attorney General’s office leading the state’s efforts to enforce the Law Against Discrimination, and the many other righteous causes she has vigorously pursued, Rachel has proven that she is a fighter for New Jerseyans no matter who they are or where they come from,” Vitale said. “I look forward to seeing her confirmed to the Court.”
Cruz Perez becomes the first South Jersey Democrat to announce their intention to vote yes on Wainer Apter’s nomination, if it comes to a vote of the full Senate.
“Rachel Wainer Apter is a terrific choice by Governor Murphy for the New Jersey Supreme Court. She has not shied away from any fight, whether it is protecting the rights of undocumented New Jerseyans to advocating for the rights of women,” Cruz-Perez stated. “I am happy to see her nominated and look forward to her service on the Court.”
Singer, the senior Republican in the Senate, was the first member of the Senate to announce support for Wainer Apter’s confirmation.
The seven votes now represent one-third of what she needs to be confirmed.
But first, Wainer Apter will need to get sign-off from the four Bergen County Senators — including State Sen.-elect Holly Schepisi (R-River Vale) — and backing from Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Nicholas Scutari and Senate President Steve Sweeney before the nomination can advance.