The Senate Judiciary Committee today unanimously released the nomination of Kevin J. O’Toole for another term as a commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
O’Toole was appointed to the Port Authority post in 2017 after serving ten years as a Republican state senator from Essex County. He became chairman four weeks after his arrival, replacing John Degnan.
Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, nominated O’Toole to keep his seat. Once Mikie Sherril takes office as governor next month, she will become the third governor to serve during O’Toole’s tenure.
“I look forward to working with the governor-elect, Mikie Sherrill, coming in and finding what her priorities are and working well with her,” O’Toole said.
Several senators praised O’Toole’s bipartisan leadership of the massive bi-state agency.
In response to a question from State Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Wood-Ridge), O’Toole said the Port Authority continues to seek ways to increase energy independence, including solar energy at Newark Liberty International Airport.
State Sen. Joseph Lagana (D-Paramus) praised O’Toole for fighting for New Jersey’s interests.
“New Jersey was always kind of marginalized over the years, but that’s not the case anymore,” Lagana said. “All the accomplishments that you’ve been able to kind of see through, whether it’s the airport terminals, the bus terminals, dealing with a crisis — a shortage of air traffic controllers and minimizing disruption — is a testament to your leadership.”
As a former senator, O’Toole was not subject to senatorial courtesy. The next step is for the full Senate to confirm his nomination, likely at the next session.
