Senate Judiciary Committee releases slate of judicial and authority nominations

The New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee on an unspecified date released a slate of gubernatorial nominations to the full Senate voting session, advancing multiple Superior Court judicial nominees and several appointments to regional authorities.

The committee’s action covered reappointments and new nominees, including Michael Antonowitz for reappointment to the Superior Court bench, Christopher F. Struben for appointment to the Superior Court, several administrative law judge and commission appointments, and members for authorities such as the Delaware River Port Authority and the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. Chairman Stack announced each nomination, administered oaths, and asked nominees to make brief remarks before the committee voted to release the nominations for consideration by the full Senate.

Why it matters: Committee release means the full Senate will vote later; these nominations would fill or continue service in courts and regional authorities important to state operations, from judiciary capacity to toll‑bridge and motor vehicle oversight.

The committee handled each nominee in sequence. Highlights and formal outcomes included:

- Michael Antonowitz, nominee for reappointment as a judge of the Superior Court, thanked Governor Murphy and others involved in the renomination process and told senators he was familiar with the New Jersey bench manual on jury selection and accepted electronic submissions. After a brief opportunity for questions and no committee questions, the committee called the roll. The nomination was released by voice/roll call.

- Christopher F. Struben, nominee to the Superior Court from Colonia, spoke about his 30-plus years as a private attorney and his desire to “give back” through judicial service. Several senators offered endorsements before the committee moved and seconded release; the nomination was released on roll call.

- Jeffrey Nash was nominated as a member of the Delaware River Port Authority. In his remarks he described capital improvements to bridges the DRPA operates, a recent modest fare increase, and work on a Glassboro–Camden–Trenton light rail concept; after supportive remarks from senators the committee released the nomination.

- Multiple administrative law judge nominations were presented and released, including nominees who affirmed they would accept electronic filings and follow applicable bench or procedural guidance.

- Al Comaffey was nominated to the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission and detailed the Commission’s bi‑state structure, its toll-funded operations, and the age of many bridges it operates. The committee released the nomination after supportive comments.

- Alvin Bontero was nominated to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. He described his private‑sector experience and public‑service roles and answered a question from Senator Gopal about the commission’s oversight role and Real ID readiness; Bontero said he would encourage the agency and board to improve customer service and efficiency. The committee released his nomination.

- M. Earl Ransom was nominated to the Delaware River and Bay Authority and described his engineering background, management experience, and prior service; the committee released the nomination.

- Colonel Arthur Roscoe was nominated for promotion to brigadier general in the Army National Guard; he reviewed his 34 years of service and asked the committee to keep deployed Guard members in their prayers. The committee released the nomination.

Committee procedure and disposition: For each nominee the committee administered the oath, permitted opening remarks, allowed brief questions or endorsements from senators, then moved, seconded, and conducted roll‑call votes. Chairman Stack announced, after the roll calls, that the committee’s nominations were released and would proceed to the full Senate. The committee noted it had one bill on the agenda following nominations.

Ending: With nominations released, Chairman Stack moved to the bill portion of the agenda. The committee then took up S-1989 (human trafficking expansion), which was considered and acted on separately.