Senatorial courtesy is an unwritten but immovable rule in state politics used by those on both sides of the aisle. It allows a state senator who represents the hometown of someone nominated to a position by the governor to indefinitely block their consideration, effectively killing the nomination if they disapprove. And it’s to blame for stalling several of Gov. Phil Murphy’s choices for top state positions, including a member of New Jersey’s Supreme Court.
Rachel Weiner Apter’s nomination to the court is being held up by senatorial courtesy exercised by Sen. Holly Schepisi (R-Bergen). Matt Platkin is still acting attorney general, his confirmation being held up by senatorial courtesy exercised by Sen. Dick Codey (D-Essex).
“It’s just a tradition. It’s not in the Constitution. It’s just a tradition and I worry frankly about all those kinds of gentlemanly traditions. If they’re not written down, there’s no reason they have to be honored, other than the fact that they have served the state so well over the years,” said John Farmer, director of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University.
