New Jersey’s electors cast votes for Biden, Harris

Fourteen electors met on the Assembly floor to cast votes for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris Monday afternoon.

The body elected First Lady Tammy Murphy as president of New Jersey’s Electoral College, while Essex County Democratic Chairman LeRoy Jones was elected the group’s secretary.

Murphy appointed Kelvin Ganges, who is chief of staff to Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes, to be the body’s sergeant at arms, while Raj Parikh, who was not an elector, was appointed as the Electoral College’s counsel.

“The peaceful transition of power from one administration to another is one of our democracy’s hallmark values,” Gov. Phil Murphy said. “Amid troubling times that threaten the core of our democracy, we have seen true courage and professionalism from election officials, canvassing boards and other public servants representing both political parties who have been willing to put the law and the future of our country above all other concerns.”

The members were sworn in by New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner.

Democratic State Committee Executive Director Saily Avelenda, Essex County Freeholder President Brendan Gill, former Murphy chief counsel matt Platkin, former Neptune Mayor Michael Benson, former Linden Councilman Edward Kologi, Hudson County Division of Planning chief Francesca Giarratana, Democratic State Committeewoman Roberta Karpinecz, former Paterson Deputy Mayor Derya Taskin and Rep. Mikie Sherrill district director Jill Hirsh were the other electors.

Hackensack Democratic Municipal Chairwoman Lynne Hurwitz was unable to attend and was replaced by Michele Dilorgi, who is chief of staff to Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco.