First Sikh nominated to be New Jersey attorney general

<p>Gov.-elect Phil Murphy has nominated acting Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir Grewal to be New Jersey's next attorney general.</p>

News 12 Staff

Dec 12, 2017, 4:37 PM

Updated 2,418 days ago

Share:

Gov.-elect Phil Murphy has nominated acting Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir Grewal to be New Jersey's next attorney general.
If confirmed, Grewal would be New Jersey's first Sikh to serve in that position.
“I wanted to give back to a country that has given us and other immigrant families like us, so much,” Grewal said during a news conference Tuesday.
Grewal's nomination comes after Murphy, a Democrat, said that his administration would pursue every "available means" to push back against Republican President Donald Trump's proposed tax changes, including a lawsuit.
“States will have never mattered more. Governors will have never mattered more. And attorneys general will have never mattered more,” Murphy said.
Murphy said that he was looking for an attorney general who would fight the Trump administration on a wide range of issues, including immigration, voting rights and gun laws.
Attorney general is one of New Jersey’s most powerful positions. The attorney general oversees legal cases involving everything from cybersecurity to civil rights.
Grewal referenced his three daughters while addressing the historic nature of his nomination.
“As someone who has experienced hate and intolerance firsthand throughout my life, I wanted to work to ensure that we all live in a fair and just society and that [my daughters] grow up in a fair and just society,” he said.
Grewal was appointed as acting prosecutor by Republican Gov. Chris Christie in 2016.
“Gurbir's intellect and experience is what attracted me to him and what led me to fight entrenched interests to make him Bergen County prosecutor. I am sure it is those same qualities that attracted [Gov.-elect Murphy] to him as well,” Christie said in a statement.
Grewal is a former assistant United States attorney in the criminal division in the District of New Jersey. He has also served as a prosecutor in the Eastern District of New York.
The New Jersey state Senate will now hold hearings to confirm Grewal’s nomination. Those hearings are expected to take place in the new year.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.


More from News 12
2:16
Fire at Fair Lawn strip mall destroys multiple businesses, including popular Zadies Bakery

Fire at Fair Lawn strip mall destroys multiple businesses, including popular Zadies Bakery

2:11
Beautiful weekend ahead for New Jersey with sunny skies and warm temperatures

Beautiful weekend ahead for New Jersey with sunny skies and warm temperatures

1:54
Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

0:46
New Jersey to receive more than $72M to help coastal communities prevent flooding

New Jersey to receive more than $72M to help coastal communities prevent flooding

1:43
Officials: Lead found on Keyport beach not ‘urgent risk’ to public health, no need to close beach

Officials: Lead found on Keyport beach not ‘urgent risk’ to public health, no need to close beach

0:44
Jersey Proud: Goya Gives Day collects 100,000 pounds of food donations

Jersey Proud: Goya Gives Day collects 100,000 pounds of food donations

1:01
‘It’s a beautiful sport.’ New pickleball courts open in Howell Township

‘It’s a beautiful sport.’ New pickleball courts open in Howell Township

0:29
Man who pleaded guilty to attacking Jewish men sentenced to 30 years on terror charges

Man who pleaded guilty to attacking Jewish men sentenced to 30 years on terror charges

0:55
EPA completes Phase 1 of Superfund site cleanup at Unimatic Manufacturing site in Fairfield

EPA completes Phase 1 of Superfund site cleanup at Unimatic Manufacturing site in Fairfield

0:20
West New York school named for Sen. Menendez to revert to original name

West New York school named for Sen. Menendez to revert to original name

0:30
Attorney general: NJ state trooper ‘inexcusably crossed the line,’ admits to punching handcuffed woman in the face in 2022

Attorney general: NJ state trooper ‘inexcusably crossed the line,’ admits to punching handcuffed woman in the face in 2022

0:15
East Brunswick police: Bicyclist killed in Route 18 crash

East Brunswick police: Bicyclist killed in Route 18 crash

0:30
No one injured in Kenilworth house fire

No one injured in Kenilworth house fire

1:04
Attorney general releases body camera footage of fatal Hamilton police-involved shooting

Attorney general releases body camera footage of fatal Hamilton police-involved shooting

0:15
Part of Manchester’s Harry Wright Lake closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria

Part of Manchester’s Harry Wright Lake closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria

0:23
2 dead in Maine plane crash after leaving New Jersey airport

2 dead in Maine plane crash after leaving New Jersey airport

0:18
$1 million lottery ticket won from $20 scratch-off at North Wildwood Wawa

$1 million lottery ticket won from $20 scratch-off at North Wildwood Wawa

1:59
Paws & Pals: Felicity now up for adoption at Associated Humane Societies

Paws & Pals: Felicity now up for adoption at Associated Humane Societies

1:17
Gov. Murphy discusses potential Menendez replacement on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

Gov. Murphy discusses potential Menendez replacement on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

0:40
State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program