TRENTON—Governor Mikie Sherrill's nominees to lead New Jersey's transportation and health agencies won unanimous approval from the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 11, 2026, advancing to full Senate consideration later this month. Both Priya Jain, tapped to head the Department of Transportation, and Raynard Washington, nominated to lead the Department of Health, fielded questions during approximately five hours of hearings before committee members cleared them without dissent.

Jain Addresses Aging Infrastructure Concerns

Jain, a civil engineer with infrastructure consulting experience, faced questioning about the state's aging bridges and roadways. Committee members pressed her specifically about seeking federal funding to address sinkholes that shut down Route 80 in Morris County last year. "None of us want to see a bridge safety accident happen on our watch and we do have a lot of aging infrastructure," Jain told the panel. "Safety is paramount and I think I can make the commitment on behalf of the department that we don't want that happening on our watch."

Washington Outlines Public Health Vision

Washington is still relocating to New Jersey from North Carolina, where he served as director of the Mecklenburg County Public Health Department until Sherrill's inauguration day. During his hearing, Washington addressed health inequities, mental health service expansion, and preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. "At its core, public health is public safety," Washington stated. "When we fail, people suffer and when we succeed, entire communities have an opportunity to live longer, healthier lives." He added that the department "must focus on not only the health challenges in front of us, we must be prepared for the health challenges to come."

Additional Nominations Pending

Five other Sherrill cabinet appointees have already won Senate confirmation in February: Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, Treasurer Aaron Binder, Human Services Commissioner Stephen Cha, Education Commissioner Lily Laux, and Veterans Affairs Commissioner Vincent Solomeno. All were unanimously approved.

Two additional nominees remain in confirmation limbo. Acting Corrections Commissioner Victoria Kuhn and acting Community Affairs Commissioner Jacquelyn Suárez, who both served in the Murphy administration, have not yet received Judiciary Committee hearings. The Senate has scheduled another voting session for March 23, when additional nominees may advance.

The confirmations will provide Sherrill's administration with permanent leadership at two critical agencies. Jain will confront immediate infrastructure challenges, including emergency repairs and federal funding procurement. Washington inherits public health system responsibilities and health equity initiatives. Both nominees can serve as acting commissioners with full departmental authority until the full Senate votes later in March.

Sources:

• Asbury Park Press, "These two key Sherrill cabinet picks advance to NJ senate approval," March 13, 2026

• North Jersey, "Sherrill's picks for transportation, health commissioner clear first hurdle," March 13, 2026