Gov. Phil Murphy has renominated Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Chairman Kevin J. O’Toole to a new term as a commissioner.
Commissioner Joseph Kelley, who served as Murphy’s deputy chief of staff, has been named to a six-year term; rather than succeed himself, he will replace outgoing Commissioner Michelle Richardson.
To replace Kelley, Murphy has nominated Hudson County Executive Craig Guy, the Democratic county chairman.
Kelley and Guy must get signoffs from all three Hudson County senators; senatorial courtesy does not apply to O’Toole, a former Republican state senator from Essex County; his Senate confirmation will be a breeze.
O’Toole will have served for the entire eight years of Murphy’s governorship and extend into the term of another Democratic governor, Mikie Sherrill.
Murphy’s decision to renominate O’Toole shows an appreciation for key accomplishments advocated by the administration, including the opening of a new Terminal A, progress on the Gateway Tunnel, a new bus terminal, and air train projects.
O’Toole was initially nominated to the Port Authority by Gov. Chris Christie in 2017 and succeeded John Degnan as chairman a month after joining the board. He is serving his eighth one-year term as chairman.
New Jersey’s other three Port Authority seats are held by former U.S. Senator George Helmy, Middlesex County Democratic Chairman Kevin McCabe, and Elizabeth Mayor Christian Bollwage.
