The state Senate confirmed five of Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s cabinet nominees on Monday, all but one unanimously.
In a 27-7 vote, the state Senate confirmed Raynard Washington to be the state’s health commissioner. Washington had faced strong questioning before the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this month, particularly related to vaccines and former Gov. Phil Murphy’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the tough questioning, he cleared the initial committee vote with the support of Republicans.
Four Republican senators — Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield), James Holzapfel (R-Toms River), Vince Polistina (R-Egg Harbor Township), and Robert Singer (R-Lakewood) — voted to confirm Washington. Another four Republican senators didn’t vote.
Margo Chaly was unanimously confirmed to be secretary of higher education, and Priya Jain was confirmed as transportation secretary.
The Senate also unanimously voted to retain Corrections Commissioner Victoria Kuhn and Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Jacquelyn Suárez.
The confirmations went forward with no debate.
The state Senate has now confirmed 10 Sherrill nominees, most of them unanimously.