A second Republican has publicly announced his intention to vote for the confirmation of John Jay Hoffman, Gov. Phil Murphy’s nominee to serve as an associate justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.
State Sen. Vince Polistina (R-Egg Harbor Township) said he’ll vote yes on Hoffman if his nomination reaches the Senate floor.
“I commend Governor Murphy for maintaining the tradition of partisan balance and nominating John Hoffman to the New Jersey Supreme Court,” Polistina stated. “John has earned universal respect for his integrity and professionalism, especially during his time in the Christie Administration.”
Murphy nominated Hoffman on Monday to fill the seat of retiring Justice Lee A. Soliman.
Polistina’s statement validates Murphy’s position that Hoffman, an unaffiliated voter who served as acting attorney general for nearly three years under a Republican governor, is an appropriate successor to Soliman, a former Republican assemblyman from Camden County.
State Sen. Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield) attended Murphy’s statehouse announcement on Monday and quickly announced his support for Hoffman.
Seven other senators are on the record as backing Hoffman’s nomination: Senate President Nicholas Scutari; Judiciary Committee Chairman Brian P. Stack; Vin Gopal (D-Long Branch); Joseph Lagana (D-Paramus); Raj Mukherji (D-Jersey City); and Robert Smith (D-Piscataway).
“John must first win the approval of Senator (Latham) Tiver, Senator (Troy) Singleton, and the Senate Judiciary Committee,” Polistina said. “After that vetting process is complete, I look forward to voting for John’s confirmation on the Senate floor.”
