Going through the confirmation process without rushing to judgment is the Scutari way

Before Nicholas Scutari was the Senate President, he was the longest-serving chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee in New Jersey history.

And during that time, he’s been consistent in his belief that Senate’s constitutional responsibility of advise and consent requires gubernatorial nominees to go through a confirmation process before making a snap decision, one way or the other.

So it’s no surprise that while Scutari praised the quality of Gov. Phil Murphy’s pick for Attorney General of New Jersey, Matt Platkin, he’s not ready to say if he’ll support him.

“I think he’s a good nomination for Governor Murphy to make,” Scutari said.  “He proved himself to be a strong counsel during a trying time.”

Scuatri says he needs to “go through the process” first.   On that point, Scutari has been consistent.

When Scutari chaired the Judiciary Committee and Platkin was the governor’s chief counsel, the two worked together on the confirmation of Murphy’s political and judicial nominees.  On a personal level, they became mutual admirers.

“He’s grown a lot since becoming chief counsel,” he said.  “I think he’s up for the job.”