On Tuesday, Mikie Sherrill was sworn in as the 57th governor of New Jersey during an inauguration ceremony at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.
Addressing her constituents, Sherrill framed her administration around opportunity, saying “the American dream starts with opening a door.”
“With an understanding that no matter who your parents are, where you’re from, what religion you practice, or ethnicity you claim, the doors to opportunity in this country should be open to everyone,” she said. “That is the story of New Jersey.”
With that vision as a backdrop, Sherrill outlined the policy priorities that will define the early days of her administration, placing a particular emphasis on affordability and safety.
In an interview with WHYY, Sherrill discussed the rising cost of electric bills in the state.
“We’re working with other governors across PJM – that’s our grid operator – to force them to push more power into our grid so we can drive down costs over time,” Sherrill told WHYY.
Echoing those concerns in her inaugural address on Tuesday, Sherrill signed an executive order to “declare a state of emergency on utility costs.”
She has also expressed support for former Gov. Murphy’s bell-to-bell cell phone plan, emphasizing children’s online safety.
Sherrill told WHYY she will prioritize expanding the first-time homebuyers program “to help people get their foot in the door, to buy a home, create generational wealth for their families as we’re trying to drive down costs.”
In addition to affordability initiatives, Sherrill said she aims to improve the Motor Vehicle Commission and transparency among state agencies.
“Under this administration, agencies will be judged by results, not rhetoric,” she said during her inaugural speech. “We will work to make government more transparent.”
As she outlines her agenda, Sherrill has also begun staffing her administration, announcing key cabinet appointments she says will help carry out her policy goals.
Dale Caldwell: Lieutenant governor and secretary of state
Lieutenant governor-elect Dale Caldwell will serve as Sherrill’s secretary of state, Sherrill announced in December.
According to a NJ.Gov press release, as secretary of state, Caldwell will be “responsible for safeguarding election processes, supporting arts and history organizations, running the state’s Business Action Center, promoting the state’s tourism economy, and ensuring that the foundations of New Jersey’s civic life remain strong.”
Caldwell most recently served as the president of Centenary University in Hackettstown, New Jersey. He is also a pastor of the Covenant United Methodist Church in Plainfield, New Jersey.
Margo Chaly: Secretary of Higher Education
Sherrill tapped Seton Hall law school alumna Margo Chaly to serve as the next secretary of higher education.
Chaly currently serves as the executive director of the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (NJHESAA) and has experience working as a manager of litigations and operations at a law firm as well as at insurance companies.
“While the Trump administration continues to cut funding that makes college affordable for students and guts research funding at our schools it’s critical we support the thousands of New Jerseyans who want to pursue a college degree,” Chaly said in a NJ.gov press release. “I look forward to working with Gov.-elect Sherrill and our partners in the state legislature to make higher education more affordable and accessible for every New Jerseyan.”
Lily Laux: Commissioner of Education
Sherrill nominated Lily Laux to serve as the commissioner of education on Jan. 16. Sherrill described Laux as a “lifelong public servant and educator with decades of experience helping children learn and thrive.”
Last year, Laux was a finalist for the Massachusetts commissioner of education, according to the New Jersey Globe. While running for the position, Laux made a statement explaining how she would handle learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The lingering effects of the pandemic have created the widest achievement gaps we’ve ever seen, particularly around socioeconomic lines,” she said in an interview with The Boston Globe. “I would absolutely expect the commissioner to be judged on how we’re addressing closing those gaps.”
Laux previously served as the deputy commissioner for the Texas Education Agency.
Kellie Doucette: Chief Operating Officer
Kellie Doucette currently serves as the executive director of the Sherrill Gubernatorial Transition and is Sherrill’s chief operating officer (COO) designate.
According to a NJ.Gov press release, COO is “a newly created role where [Doucette] will focus on creating and driving efficient systems across state government to save New Jerseyans time and money.”
Thomas Hauck: Director of Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Marines Corp captain and former FBI agent Thomas Hauck was nominated by Sherrill to serve as director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. Hauck is currently serving as the director of intelligence and operations for the office.
“I look forward to working alongside the Governor-elect to lead the Office in our mission to intercept and mitigate threats before they reach communities,” Hauck said in a NJ.Gov press release. “Together, we will continue to run the nation’s premier cyber information sharing center, work with state and local law enforcement to protect communities, and be a partner in preparing New Jersey to safely host world-class events this summer.”
Dr. Raynard Washington: Department of Health commissioner
Sherrill nominated Dr. Raynard Washington as the next Department of Health commissioner to “protect New Jerseyans’ access to affordable health care, bring transparency to health care pricing, and expand access to physical and mental health care,” according to a NJ.Gov press release.
Washington has served as the director of Public Health for Mecklenburg County since 2021 and has experience in health research.
Ed Potosnak: Commissioner of NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Sherrill nominated Ed Potosnak, executive director of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, to serve as commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
According to a NJ.Gov press release, Potosnak “will lead the state’s efforts to become more flood resilient, mitigate harmful PFAS chemicals, and remediate contaminated sites.”
Potosnak also declared his intention to reduce permitting times.
“As a licensed contractor, I understand the struggles that business owners face while trying to get state permits, and as Commissioner, I look forward to streamlining that process so we’re ensuring government is being responsive to job creators while protecting our state’s natural resources,” he said.
Megan Pitt is the head editor of The Setonian’s News section. She can be reached at megan.pitt@student.shu.edu.
