The basics:

• Christopher Peterson will become acting director of Division of Consumer Affairs Aug. 3
• Peterson previously helped establish CFPB‘s enforcement policies, strategy
• Will oversee consumer protection, securities regulation, 51 professional boards
• Peterson will serve pending confirmation by the New Jersey Senate

Gov. Mikie Sherrill plans to nominate a former federal official and national recognized authority on consumer finance to lead the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.

According to the New Jersey Attorney General‘s Office, Christopher Peterson will start Aug. 3 as acting director of the DCA.

Sherrill announced her pick in a July 27 press release. She praised Peterson for his efforts “fighting for consumers through public service, congressional advocacy, and in the courtroom.”

“At a time when the CFPB has abandoned the consumers it should be protecting and New Jersey families are facing rising costs from Donald Trump’s war in Iran and illegal tariffs, Chris’s unparalleled experience protecting families from predatory practices will help ensure New Jersey remains at the forefront of consumer protection and continues standing up for residents no matter what is happening in Washington,” the Democratic governor said.

New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport noted Peterson’s “remarkable record of holding lawbreakers accountable and relentlessly pursuing economic justice for consumers and military families throughout his career.”

Davenport went on, “New Jersey has some of the strongest laws in the country to curb the illegal conduct that is deepening our affordability crisis, and Chris’s vast experience shaping consumer protection policy and enforcing the law will ensure that the Division of Consumer Affairs can lead the country in protecting working families struggling to make ends meet.”

Peterson worked at the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from 2012 to 2016. During that time, he helped establish the agency as well as its enforcement policies and strategy. He is also credited with developing and strengthening the federal Military Lending Act. Signed into law 20 years ago by President George W. Bush, the MLA seeks to protect service members and their families from predatory lending practices.

More about Peterson

Peterson most recently served as the John J. Flynn Endowed Professor of Law at the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law, according to the AG’s office.

The Jersey Vindicator noted that Peterson ran for governor of Utah in 2020. However, he lost to Republican Spencer Cox in the general election.

As head of the DCA, Peterson will helm an agency charged with protecting consumer rights, regulating the securities industry and overseeing 51 professional boards.

The DCA is currently overseen by acting director Jeremy Hollander. He stepped into the role in January following the departure of interim director Elizabeth Harris. She was selected to serve as a deputy chief counsel in the Sherril administration, the New Jersey Globe reported earlier this year.

According to the AG’s office, Hollander will return to his position as deputy director of the division’s office of consumer protection.

Commenting on his new role, Peterson said, “It is a privilege to join the Division of Consumer Affairs, and I am grateful for the opportunity to lead an efficient, accessible agency that strives to serve the public every day.”

The fifth-generation Utahn added, “On day one, I will get to work to make life more affordable for New Jersey families by protecting consumers from scams and exploitation, and to ensure that our agency supports honest businesses while holding those who break our laws accountable.”

According to the AG’s office, Peterson’s permanent appointment is pending a formal nomination by the governor as well as Senate confirmation.