The word acting has been officially dropped from the title of now Attorney General Matt Platkin, following his confirmation vote Thursday by the New Jersey Senate.

Platkin was confirmed by a 24-10 vote, with three Republicans voting in favor.

The 35-year-old, a close ally to Gov. Phil Murphy that served as an adviser and then the top lawyer in the governor’s office, was nominated to the post by Murphy in February. The Montclair native’s confirmation was delayed for several months, requiring sign-off from Essex County’s four state senators. Finally, during a rare August hearing, Platkin’s nomination advanced through the Senate Judiciary Committee, setting the stage for the Sept. 29 vote.

He has been serving as acting attorney general in the interim.

‘Now we’re going to criticize?’

Prior to the vote, several Republicans voiced their opposition to his nomination, with issues cited ranging from concerns about his lack of experience to his part in advising Murphy on COVID-19 executive orders and his role in the scandal involving Katie Brennan.

Sen. Holly Schepisi, R-39th District, called it a “very difficult vote.”

“I don’t take how I’m going to vote today lightly. And as a fellow attorney, it probably isn’t in my personal best interest to vote no on an attorney general in this state,” said Schepisi. “But, unfortunately, today, I must. There’s no doubt that Mr. Platkin is bright and does have a very good future ahead of him. However, brightness doesn’t equal experience needed to oversee 7,200 employees as the state’s chief law enforcement officer, legal adviser overseeing the criminal justice system, protecting the safety of the public, defending the state against lawsuits in an impartial, nonpolitical manner.”

Sen. Michael Doherty, R-23rd District, said that Platkin’s lack of experience would prevent him from being qualified as a Superior Court judge. “And here we’re moving him to be the top law enforcement officer in the entire State of New Jersey,” said Doherty.

Doherty also cited Platkin’s advising of Murphy during the pandemic as one of his chief reasons for opposition, saying the executive orders and COVID actions did not take the state constitution into account. “So, Mr. Platkin was sitting there signing these documents, advising Gov. Murphy as he was trampling on the New Jersey constitution and the federal constitution as well,” he said.

That prompted Sen. Richard Codey, D-27th district, former governor – who had held up Platkin’s nomination at one point – to stick up for the nominee. “When the coronavirus hit, I didn’t give a damn what the constitution said. I wanted us to be safe,” said Codey. “I wanted to beat the virus.”

Codey commended the governor’s leadership during the pandemic, as well as Platkin’s efforts.

“No governor has ever before, in the history of this state, been hit with something like that,” said Codey. “Now we’re going to criticize? That’s easy. And how it plays into Mr. Platkin because he was counsel to the governor. I don’t get it.”

Codey stressed that he wants somebody independent who will do the right thing in this very critical and important role. “Let’s give this young man the opportunity to do what’s right,” he said. “Wherever he has to go. Whatever he has to do. If he thinks it’s right, on behalf of the people of the State of New Jersey, I have the faith that he will do just that. Make us proud over the next the couple of years.”

‘A passion for public service’

Following the vote, Senate President Nick Scutari, D-22nnd District, and Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz, D-29th District, issued a joint statement:

“We believe that Matt Platkin possesses the skills and experience to serve with distinction as New Jersey attorney general. He did an admirable job as chief counsel to the governor during challenging times and gained valuable experience as an attorney in the private sector and as special counsel for impeachment in [U.S.] Sen. [Cory] Booker’s office,” they wrote.

“Matt has demonstrated effective leadership as acting attorney general where he has been responsive to the need for effective law enforcement and proactive with policies that enhance public safety and promote equal justice. He brings a passion for public service and a commitment to social justice to his work as New Jersey’s top law enforcement official,” said the two senators.

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-19th District, said he had the opportunity to work closely with Platkin when he served as the governor’s chief counsel.

“Whether aggressively prosecuting gun traffickers, promoting new crime intervention programs or empowering law enforcement in the fight against car theft ringleaders, he has demonstrated his effective leadership as acting attorney general in these past few months and I look forward to continuing to work with him to move New Jersey forward,” Coughlin said in a statement.

Gov. Phil Murphy tweeted his congratulations following the vote.

Congratulations to Matt Platkin on being confirmed by the Senate as New Jersey’s 62nd Attorney General!

As @NewJerseyOAG, I know Matt will work tirelessly to end gun violence, strengthen trust between law enforcement and the public, and stand up for the people of our state. pic.twitter.com/V17dsPeCUz

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) September 29, 2022

“Congratulations to Matt Platkin on being confirmed by the Senate as New Jersey’s 62^nd Attorney General,” Murphy wrote. “As @NewJerseyOAG, I know Matt will work tirelessly to end gun violence, strengthen trust between law enforcement and the public, and stand up for the people of our state.”

Following his confirmation, Platkin put out a statement calling it the honor of a lifetime to “earn the bipartisan support of the New Jersey Senate and be confirmed as the state’s 62nd Attorney General.”

“Since my nomination, I have worked closely with the incredible public servants in the Department of Law and Public Safety, the dedicated women and men in law enforcement, and our community stakeholders to advance the cause of justice and protect New Jerseyans,” said Platkin.

“I pledge to work tirelessly to end the scourge of gun violence, to strengthen trust between law enforcement and the broader public, and to protect the rights of our residents. I want to once again thank Gov. Murphy for his trust and support in nominating me to serve the people of this great state as New Jersey’s Attorney General.”