New Jersey is set to make history with Governor-elect Phil Murphy’s nomination for attorney general.
Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir Grewal has been tapped for the top law enforcement officer spot.
If confirmed, he would become the country’s first Sikh-American attorney general.
The nomination is Murphy's first for his Cabinet.
Grewal worked as an assistant U.S. attorney from 2010 to 2016, including in the Criminal Division and as chief of the Economic Crimes Unit, where he oversaw the investigation and prosecution of all major white-collar and cyber crimes in the state.
“New Jersey needs an attorney general with a steel backbone, one that will stand up for New Jersey against everything coming our way from Washington,” Murphy said. “Whether it be addressing our opioid epidemic head-on with compassion and persistence, fighting to protect New Jerseyans’ health care against the constant threats from Washington, standing up for DREAMers and our LGBT community, or defending New Jersey’s common-sense gun laws, there will be no more critical post in my administration than attorney general.”
Outgoing Attorney General Christopher Porrino agreed with the choice.
“Grewal is the kind of public servant who leaves his ego at the door and does the right thing for the right reasons,” Porrino tweeted. “He’s smart, trustworthy and tenacious, qualities (that) will make him an extraordinarily successful (attorney general).”
Porrino said he is looking forward to a smooth transition.
“I am honored to be nominated by Governor-elect Murphy to serve as attorney general,” Grewal said. “All my life, I’ve shared Governor-elect Murphy’s goal of building a fairer New Jersey. To me, that means protecting the rights of every resident under the law, and defending the values of our diverse communities. I look forward to helping Governor-elect Murphy make his vision for New Jersey a reality.”
Grewal is graduate of Georgetown University and the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary.
“The decision to appoint a visible minority as the chief law enforcement officer for New Jersey reflects the diversity of the state and of the U.S., and is especially important in a time where minorities and immigrants have often felt targeted by law enforcement,” said Rishi Bagga, president of the South Asian Bar Association of North America. “We applaud Governor-elect Murphy in picking a distinguished and qualified member of the South Asian and Sikh American legal community for this pivotal role. We strongly support Mr. Grewal’s nomination as attorney general and look forward to working with him on issues of national importance.”
“Gurbir has been an active member and supporter of SABA-NJ for years,” said SABA-NJ President Bhaveen Jani. “We really applaud his accomplishments and are extremely proud to see him be chosen for this honor. It does show Governor-elect Murphy’s dedication to the South Asian community.”
