Sherrill names veteran prosecutor Jennifer Davenport as New Jersey attorney general pick
Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill on Monday morning announced Jennifer Davenport as her nominee for New Jersey attorney general, tapping a longtime prosecutor and former senior official in the Attorney General’s Office to serve as the state’s top law enforcement officer as the incoming administration takes shape.
Davenport, a lifelong New Jersey resident with more than 15 years of state and federal law enforcement experience, has held a series of senior roles in government and the private sector, including first assistant attorney general, principal law enforcement adviser, and currently as the deputy general counsel and chief litigation counsel at PSEG. If confirmed by the state Senate, she would lead an office that is at the center of some of New Jersey’s most consequential fights, from policing and civil rights to consumer protection to battles with the Trump administration.
“A strong attorney general is critical to delivering for New Jerseyans, whether that’s taking on price gougers, fighting for federal resources, or protecting our rights and freedoms,” Sherrill said at a press conference in Newark announcing the nomination.
Sherrill, who worked with Davenport at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, praised what she described as Davenport’s “ironclad commitment to upholding the law and the Constitution,” as well as her record of working with communities to build trust.
She pointed to Davenport’s experience handling complex civil and criminal cases and said that background would be essential as the administration works to make New Jersey more affordable. “As a lifelong New Jerseyan, I know Jen will never back down from a fight,” Sherrill said.
Davenport said she was grateful for the nomination and stressed public safety and affordability as top priorities. She described the Attorney General’s Office as playing a critical role in advancing those goals.
“From taking on gun violence and human trafficking, to protecting our children, to ensuring affordability, to defending New Jerseyans from attacks out of Washington, I will build on my career in law enforcement and in public service to protect New Jerseyans every day,” Davenport said.
Davenpor served for four years in prominent roles at the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, including as first assistant attorney general and principal law enforcement adviser. She also served as New Jersey’s commissioner on the Waterfront Commission, where she focused on corruption in the New York and New Jersey harbor.
After leaving the Attorney General’s Office in 2022, she joined PSEG as senior director of compliance and later became deputy general counsel and chief litigation counsel. Earlier in her career, she spent seven years as an assistant U.S. attorney in the District of New Jersey, where she served as chief of the General Crimes Unit. She also worked as division counsel to the New Jersey division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. She previously practiced law as a litigation associate at Latham & Watkins and Patton Boggs. She clerked for Chief Judge John Bissell of the U.S. District Court in Newark and worked as an intelligence analyst at the DEA before and during law school.
Davenport is a graduate of DeSales University and Seton Hall University School of Law and has two daughters.
Following Sherrill’s announcement, Amol Sinha, executive director of the ACLU of New Jersey, said the organization looked forward to working with Davenport.
“As always, we will fulfill our duty as advocates to hold the attorney general accountable to her pledge to uphold the constitutions of New Jersey and of the United States,” Sinha said in a written statement.
Sinha said the attorney general’s role carries particular weight given the office’s influence over policing, immigration, racial justice, and government accountability, and said the state’s top law enforcement officer must be “on the frontlines of defending New Jersey’s communities against the Trump administration’s abuses of power.”
“The decisions of the attorney general have an impact on critical issues like whether people live their lives in cages or in freedom, whether police departments have meaningful oversight, whether we promote racial justice and equity, whether New Jersey government is transparent and accountable, and whether immigrants feel forced into the shadows or are free to participate in civic life, among countless others,” Sinha said. “We will work to ensure the office uses the full force of its powers to make New Jersey fairer and more just, and we look forward to working with prospective Attorney General Davenport to create a New Jersey where people can live their lives more freely.”
He added that over the past several years, across multiple administrations, the ACLU of New Jersey has enjoyed a productive relationship with the Office of the Attorney General.
“Sometimes as allies, sometimes as adversaries, but always with mutual respect. We shared a productive working relationship with Ms. Davenport during her time as First Assistant Attorney General under former AG Gurbir Grewal, and we are hopeful that under her leadership, the Office will continue to build upon the work of defending the rights of all New Jerseyans,” Sinha said.
Statements from New Jersey leaders after the announcement
Sen. Vin Gopal, D-Monmouth, and Sen. Declan O’Scanlon, R-Monmouth:
“We applaud the selection of Monmouth County’s own Jen Davenport as Governor-elect Sherrill’s nominee for attorney general. Throughout her career, she has been a friend to law enforcement and has worked tirelessly to prosecute crimes and keep our communities safe. We have had the opportunity to discuss very important issues with Attorney General-designee Davenport — including prosecuting violent criminals, going after financial crimes, battling antisemitism and discrimination, cutting red tape in departments such as the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, and much more. We look forward to continuing these conversations in the weeks and months ahead. We look forward to working with our colleagues in the Senate to confirm her.”
The Rev. Dr. Charles Boyer:
“I am proud to express my strong support for Jennifer Davenport as New Jersey’s next attorney general. Having worked with her for years, I have witnessed firsthand that she leads and listens with a clear set of values rooted in public safety, fairness, accountability, and equity. I’ve seen how she makes sure our community has a seat at the table so solutions work on the ground. Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill deserves tremendous credit for such a thoughtful and impactful choice. I look forward to working with both of them to protect New Jerseyans’ rights and freedoms. ”
U.S. Senator Andy Kim
“I’m encouraged by the nomination of Jennifer Davenport as the next NJ Attorney General. She brings serious experience and a dedication to public service that is much needed. I appreciated her focus on keeping our kids safe while fighting for affordability for our families. I look forward to sitting down with her and talking through what we can work on to prioritize combating corruption and stand up to the lawlessness of the Trump Administration. I will also work to
maintain the Attorney General’s power and independence, including over the State Police.”
Peter Andreyev, president of the New Jersey Police Benevolent Association:
“The State PBA congratulates Jennifer Davenport on her nomination to be New Jersey’s next attorney general. Jennifer understands the responsibilities of the office, knows New Jersey law enforcement, and has the experience necessary to hit the ground running. During her time as first assistant attorney general, the State PBA had a productive and open working relationship with her, and we are looking forward to continuing that when she becomes attorney general.”
Andrew Caggiano, president of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police:
“Jen Davenport is a tough, career prosecutor, skilled attorney, and friend to law enforcement. Jen cares deeply about keeping our streets safe and ensuring that our officers have the tools they need to protect and serve New Jerseyans. I look forward to working with Jen to reduce crime, get criminals off the streets, and protect our officers.”
Jeanne Fox, former commissioner of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities:
“I spent over a decade as commissioner of the BPU to innovate on new technologies and save New Jerseyans money — I know firsthand how hard it is to lower our utility bills and how this moment requires a different approach. Gov.-elect Sherrill and her nominee for attorney general, Jen Davenport, are exactly the kind of leaders it will take to lower bills. This nomination shows Mikie is fully committed to changing the way the system works to lower costs.”
Gurbir Grewal, former attorney general of New Jersey:
“I congratulate Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill on the nomination of Jennifer Davenport to serve as New Jersey’s next attorney general. Jen has the intellect, experience, and integrity required for the job and will be an exceptional attorney general. As a career public servant with deep law enforcement experience, including at the attorney general’s office, she has already done the hard work to earn the trust of her future colleagues, as well as law enforcement officers, community stakeholders, and public officials across the state. And because of that experience and credibility, she understands the immense power of the office and the need to exercise it responsibly in protecting the public, safeguarding the integrity of our institutions, and ensuring equal justice — whether the matter involves violent crime, corruption, consumer fraud, civil rights, or complex financial misconduct. Simply put, she’ll make the right calls for the right reasons and will be ready to serve New Jerseyans from day one.”
Christopher S. Porrino, former attorney general of New Jersey:
“Gov.-elect Sherrill has made a superb choice in Jennifer Davenport. While relatable and understated, Jen is an extremely effective and strong leader. The hard-working people of the Department of Law and Public Safety will be inspired and motivated by her commitment to the rule of law. Her deep law enforcement experience, both state and federal, will serve her well in making our cities safer and reducing gun violence. And given her experience, both law enforcement and our communities already know and trust her. This is a confidence-inspiring selection, and I will be proud to call Jen Davenport our attorney general.”
Paul Fishman, former U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey:
“Jen Davenport is a wonderful choice to be New Jersey’s next attorney general. She’s a very talented lawyer who has been a terrific federal, state, and county prosecutor. Jen has a reputation for being tough and fair, and she has the skills to build and enhance trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Jen is also the kind of bold and experienced leader that New Jersey needs as attorney general. I saw all of those qualities when we were colleagues in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and it’s why I promoted her twice. At a time when our legal system and fundamental freedoms are under attack from the Trump administration, I am confident that Jen will meet that challenge and keep New Jersey residents safer.”
Craig Carpenito, former U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey.“As a citizen of New Jersey:
I am grateful for the nomination of Jennifer Davenport to serve as our next attorney general. I had the pleasure of working cooperatively with Jennifer in her role as first assistant attorney general during my tenure as United States attorney for the District of New Jersey. Jennifer is a career prosecutor who has devoted her professional life to public safety and quality of life for the people of New Jersey. Jennifer is an outstanding lawyer with a stellar reputation within the New Jersey bar. She has never let politics get in the way of doing the right thing. Jennifer Davenport is precisely who New Jersey needs and deserves as its next attorney general.”
Richard Smith, President of the New Jersey NAACP State Conference:
“The NAACP New Jersey State Conference commends Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill on the appointment of Jen Davenport as Attorney General of the State of New Jersey. At a moment when our state faces critical challenges related to justice, public safety, civil rights, and trust in government, the selection of an Attorney General carries profound significance. Jen Davenport brings to this role a reputation for integrity, legal excellence, and a demonstrated commitment to the fair and impartial administration of justice. Her appointment reflects a clear understanding that the Attorney General’s office must serve all the people of New Jersey—without fear, favor, or prejudice. Governor-Elect Sherrill’s decision signals a seriousness of purpose and a readiness to confront long standing disparities in policing, prosecution, environmental justice, voting rights, and consumer protection. We look forward to working collaboratively with Attorney General-designate Davenport to ensure that constitutional protections are not merely promised, but practiced, and that justice in New Jersey is not selective, but universal.”
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Krystal Knapp is the founder of The Jersey Vindicator and the hyperlocal news website Planet Princeton. Previously she was a reporter at The Trenton Times for a decade.