TRENTON — The state Senate confirmed 32 of Gov. Chris Christie’s nominees for various state boards and commissions this morning. The Senate session lasted only seven minutes and 30 seconds, with no debate, despite yesterday’s rancorous Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nomination of Ron Gravino for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. Gravino, a well-known campaign treasurer, was treasurer...
Senator Nicholas Scutari (left) in a heated exchange with Senator Senator Joe Kyrillos during the testimony of Ron Gravino before the Senate Judiciary committee at the Statehouse in Trenton on Monday. Gravino was approved today as a commissioner for the Turnpike Authority.TRENTON — The state Senate confirmed 32 of Gov. Chris Christie’s nominees for various state boards and commissions this morning.
The Senate session lasted only seven minutes and 30 seconds, with no debate, despite yesterday’s rancorous Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nomination of Ron Gravino for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.
Gravino, a well-known campaign treasurer, was treasurer for Reform Jersey Now, an issues-advocacy organization tied to some of Christie’s closest allies that raised money from state contractors and targeted some Democratic lawmakers with flyers and automated telephone calls. His nomination was passed by a vote of 27-7.
The Senate also voted to confirm four new members of the State Board of Education: Claire Chamberlain Eckert; Jack A. Fornaro; Andrew J. Mulvihill; and J. Peter Simon.
Gov. Chris Christie and Senate Democrats have been in a standoff over nominees. Dozens of nominations that have not yet been confirmed expired at noon, although Christie will only have to file paperwork to re-nominate them.
Sweeney said he will start the process on the 27 nominees who were ready to proceed. But others – including some for important posts – have not advanced.
Former Republican U.S. Rep. Michael Ferguson – a Christie nominee for the Sports and Exposition Authority who is expected to be tapped as chairman once he is confirmed – was in the Senate chamber during the vote. His nomination is being held through the practice of senatorial courtesy, in which senators from a nominees home county must sign off before it advances. State Sens. Ray Lesniak (D-Union) and Nicholas Scutari (D-Union) have not signed off.
“I’m here for the State of the State,” he said. “I came early."
Previous coverage:
• N.J. Senate to vote on 32 committee-approved Christie nominations
• Dozens of Gov. Christie's nominations to expire unless N.J. Senate takes action