WASHINGTON — It’s a presidential appointment that is often overshadowed in New Jersey by more high-profile appointments, such as U.S. attorney. But law enforcement officials and politicians say U.S. marshal in New Jersey is a critical federal post: The marshal helps capture fugitives — including many of the state’s most wanted criminals — and oversees security at all-important federal...
U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (left) and U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (right) have thrown their support behind Juan Mattos Jr., who spent 35 years with the State Police, to be nominated for U.S. marshal in New Jersey.WASHINGTON — It’s a presidential appointment that is often overshadowed in New Jersey by more high-profile appointments, such as U.S. attorney.
But law enforcement officials and politicians say U.S. marshal in New Jersey is a critical federal post: The marshal helps capture fugitives — including many of the state’s most wanted criminals — and oversees security at all-important federal courthouses.
Since President Obama took office, he hasn’t nominated anyone to the post, even though 69 U.S. marshals have been nominated in other districts, and 66 of those have been confirmed. The reason for the delay here: The state’s two Democratic U.S. senators have been at odds, unexpectedly — for more than a year and a half — over whom to recommend to Obama for the job.
The logjam was finally broken this week when Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez threw their support behind Juan Mattos Jr., who spent 35 years with the State Police and rose to its second highest rank.
Juan Mattos Jr. in this undated photo.Neither senator will say why their impasse is suddenly over. But political observers say it is a positive development, since the two have worked together on a host of issues — including mass-transit funding and airport security — in recent years, and since any disagreement that might have threatened their harmony could have also threatened New Jersey’s interests in Washington.
"What was at stake here was the relationship between Lautenberg and Menendez," said Ross K. Baker, a Rutgers University professor who’s been studying the Senate for 40 years. "I don’t think either of them wanted to go back to the days of Lautenberg and Senator Torricelli."
When former Sen. Robert Torricelli served alongside Lautenberg in the Senate, Baker said, the two Democrats had a "legendary distaste for each other that was probably one of the worst examples of senators not getting along."
If Mattos, 55, is nominated by Obama, he will be a strong candidate known for his deep experience and wealth of connections with law enforcement offices across the state, according to several law enforcement officers and groups. He would also be the first Hispanic to ascend to New Jersey U.S. marshal.
Mattos retired last year from the State Police after serving as head of investigations and then later operations. He was second in command to the superintendent. Today, he’s an agent with the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office. New Jersey’s marshal position is now filled by acting marshal, Donald Rackley, who took over in August.
So far, Mattos is winning praise from the state’s law enforcement community.
"He’s always been an excellent police officer," said Martin Perez, 61, a civil rights attorney and president of the Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey. "The Latino community will be very proud if he’s nominated, and I’m sure he will be confirmed with no problems."
Joe Santiago, a former State Police superintendent who’s known Mattos for more than 20 years, also voiced his support.
"As a U.S. marshal you have to establish relationships with all the local county and state agencies in the state of New Jersey. It fits with his experience in the State Police," he said.
Lautenberg spokesman Caley Gray said the senator still supports Lourdes Timberman Correa, his initial choice. But Lautenberg had to select a new candidate when Menendez blocked Correa. Lautenberg’s office said the senator recommended Mattos to the White House within the last week. Menendez’s office said on Wednesday that he now supports Mattos as well.
Menendez’s first candidate for marshal withdrew from consideration in 2009.
Baker said Correa’s candidacy became "politically untenable" for Obama, once Menendez announced his lack of support. Menendez’s spokesman has declined to say why the senator didn’t support Correa.
"If there’s any excuse someone has to vote against a nominee, then you as the president don’t want to throw the person out there to be attacked by Republicans who would only be too happy to have a floor vote and defeat a Democratic candidate," Baker said.
Correa would have been the state’s first woman and first Hispanic U.S. marshal. Correa was vetted by the White House and had the backing of several law enforcement groups.