Senate Judiciary panel clears trio of Sherrill nominees

The state Senate Judiciary Committee cleared three more of Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s cabinet nominees on Thursday, setting them up for a Monday confirmation before the full Senate. 

The committee cleared Margo Chaly to be secretary of higher education, Victoria Kuhn to remain commissioner of the Department of Corrections, and Jacquelyn Suárez to stay as commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs. The committee approved all three unanimously.

Chaly said that supporting smaller institutions facing fiscal challenges is of “paramount importance” and said she would continue collaborating with the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to address affordability for students in New Jersey. Chaly most recently worked as the executive director of HESAA. 

Sherrill opted to retain Kuhn as the corrections commissioner in January. Former Gov. Phil Murphy picked Kuhn to lead the troubled department in 2022; the Judiciary Committee’s members, including Republicans, said she has improved the department during her four years in office. 

The panel discussed potential infrastructure improvements for the department and improvements in contraband detection with Kuhn.

“You came at a very difficult time … and I am very appreciative of what you have done these past three years,” state Sen. Kristin Corrado (R-Totowa) said.

The Senate first confirmed Suárez as Community Affairs commissioner in 2024; Sherrill said her work on local governments, veteran homelessness, and small businesses made her work vital. 

Much of the conversation focused on consolidating local services. Suárez said such consolidation can give municipalities the chance to improve their services and save on tax money.

“People fear the unknown and they fear change,” Suárez said. “And our job is to explain to them what this change is going to look like, how it will impact them, how it will benefit them.”

State Sen. Brian Stack (D-Union City), the Judiciary chair, said their nominations will go before the full Senate on Monday.