Senate Judiciary Committee releases Jennifer Davenport’s nomination after hour‑long confirmation hearing

Jennifer Davenport, nominated by Gov. Sherrill to be New Jersey attorney general, told the Senate Judiciary Committee she would prioritize public‑safety work with police, prosecutors and community partners if confirmed.

Davenport opened her testimony by outlining a career in federal and state law enforcement and said she would “focus relentlessly on public safety, including protecting our communities from gun violence” and on “combating human trafficking” while also advancing consumer protections and defending the state’s interests where federal policies threaten New Jersey residents.

The hearing moved quickly from biography to policy. Several senators pressed Davenport about the Immigrant Trust Directive, the state policy that generally limits local agencies’ participation in civil immigration enforcement. Davenport, who said she helped craft the directive when it was adopted, told lawmakers she does not intend to rescind it and reiterated that local police should not be treated as immigration officers. “The goal was that local law enforcement should not be civil‑immigration enforcement,” she said, and added the directive includes enumerated exceptions for serious criminal matters that implicate public safety.

Committee members sought clarity about how the directive affects information‑sharing with federal authorities in criminal investigations; Davenport said the directive does not block cooperation on criminal matters and pledged to increase outreach so local chiefs, county prosecutors and municipal agencies have clear operational guidance.

Members also questioned Davenport about illicit retail cannabis sales at corner stores and so‑called smoke shops. Senator Lagana described widespread sales of flavored vapes and illegal marijuana products and urged the attorney‑general’s office to provide guidance that helps local police and mayors address stores selling unregulated products. Davenport said enforcement, education and intelligence sharing are needed and that her office will work with chiefs, county prosecutors and the state police to provide practical tools.

Several senators raised long‑running concerns about the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), outside‑counsel spending and the proper use of forfeiture funds. Davenport said she has opened a programmatic review of OPIA and is examining outside‑counsel practices and accounting; she pledged to report back to the committee with findings and possible reforms.

On elections and voting, Davenport said her office will defend whatever laws the legislature passes while continuing voter‑integrity outreach and support for election administrators; she declined to endorse policy positions reserved to the governor or legislature, such as adopting statewide voter‑ID rules.

The committee concluded with a roll‑call vote. The clerk recorded affirmative votes from Senators Testa, Corrado, Buco, Bramnick, Timberlake, Sarlow, Lagana, Gopal, Ruiz, McCourty and Chairman Stack; the nomination was released by the Judiciary Committee and will proceed to the full Senate for consideration.

What’s next: Davenport’s nomination now moves from committee to the full Senate. Lawmakers and outside stakeholders said they expect additional follow‑up from the attorney‑general’s office on OPIA review outcomes, guidance for local enforcement on illicit retail cannabis and clarifications for the Immigrant Trust Directive.