TRENTON — Tensions over Democratic roadblocks to dozens of Gov. Chris Christie’s nominations came to a head today, even as Democrats approved nearly three dozen of the Republican governor’s nominees. The dispute has simmered since March, when Christie, who had finished nominating members of his cabinet, began nominations for other posts. Many of have gone nowhere, including some for...
TRENTON — Tensions over Democratic roadblocks to dozens of Gov. Chris Christie’s nominations came to a head today, even as Democrats approved nearly three dozen of the Republican governor’s nominees.
The dispute has simmered since March, when Christie, who had finished nominating members of his cabinet, began nominations for other posts. Many of have gone nowhere, including some for large and important authorities and commissions.
"There’s been not a single Port Authority, Sports Authority, New Jersey Transit, Rutgers University board member that’s gone through this committee," said state Sen. Joseph Kyrillos (R-Monmouth). "The job of the Senate is to advise and consent on nominations."
For example, former Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Ferguson has not had a hearing on his nomination as a commissioner on the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which has been held up through "senatorial courtesy," an unwritten rule that prohibits nominations from moving forward until all senators from the nominee’s home county have signed off. Ferguson is expected to be named chairman of the authority if his nomination ever clears the Senate. Christie’s September nomination of former Attorney General David Samson as chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has also not advanced.
Today, Democrats moved 32 nominees through the Senate Judiciary Committee, though most were for minor posts.
"This is certainly a break in the logjam, isn’t it?," said Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Nicholas Scutari (D-Union).
Democrats plan a full Senate vote Tuesday at 11am to confirm those nominations. At noon, all of Christie’s nominations that have not been confirmed will expire, forcing the governor to re-nominate them.
The most high-profile nomination approved today was Ron Gravino as a commissioner on the New Jersey Turnpike Authority — and it wasn’t easy. Democrats hammered Gravino, the former chairman and CEO of the New Jersey Highway Authority, for being treasurer for Reform Jersey Now, an issues-advocacy group run by some of Christie’s closest advisers. The group accepted donations from some companies that do business with the Turnpike Authority, and targeted some Democrats with automated phone calls and flyers.
After hours of a testimony, Gravino’s nomination was eventually approved by a vote of 7-5 with 2 abstentions.
Democrats said they were growing impatient for Christie to re-nominate nine administrative law judges and two Superior Court judges whose initial terms were ending.
Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) said it was not a big deal that several dozen nominations expire Tuesday. "They’ll get re-nominated and we’ll move through them. I think today was a very good faith effort on our part," he said.
Sweeney said Republicans were also holding up nominees through senatorial courtesy. "So that’s not my problem nor is it my fault. It’s the governor’s to deal with," he said. Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak declined to comment.
Chris Megerian contributed to this report.