Platkin Out As Gov-Elect Sherrill Selects New Attorney General

Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill has decided on her pick for the next New Jersey Attorney General, according to incumbent Attorney General Matthew Platkin.

Jennifer Davenport, former First Assistant Attorney General, has been tapped by Sherrill to become the state’s 63rd Attorney General.

“Jen is, without question, one of the finest public servants I have ever known, and will do an extraordinary job as our state’s chief law enforcement officer,” Platkin said. “I cannot think of a better choice, and I commend Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill for appointing someone of Jen’s caliber.”

Davenport worked alongside Platkin as the First Assistant Attorney General and Acting Attorney General’s Principal Law Enforcement Advisor between 2018 and 2020 under Gurbir Grewal.

“Ever since I first worked with Jen in 2018, I have seen firsthand her brilliance, steadfast commitment to pursuing justice, and unquestioned integrity,” Platkin added. “On top of it all, she’s also a fundamentally good and decent person who deeply understands the importance of this work.”

The Seton Hall School of Law graduate previously served as Division Counsel to the NJ Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) after spending seven years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.

She currently works as deputy general counsel and chief litigation counsel at Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG), based in Newark. Her role may require her to withdraw from New Jersey energy matters, especially regarding the Governor-elect’s promises of freezing utility costs through a Day One executive order.

"(Davenport's) work everywhere from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, to the New Jersey Office of Attorney General, to the Drug Enforcement Administration has always been in support of the people as she strives to make our communities safer and more affordable," Sherrill said in a social media post. "Jen will work tirelessly to lower costs and hold people accountable, from Washington to the social media companies harming our children. I could not be more excited to have her as a partner in my mission to deliver for you."

Davenport will replace Platkin when his term ends on Jan. 20, the same day Mikie Sherrill will be sworn in as governor.

“I am fully committed to ensuring a smooth and productive transition,” Platkin said. “And I look forward to seeing the impressive results Jen and her team will deliver for our state. Congratulations, General Davenport!”