In a landmark decision, the New Jersey Senate has confirmed Allison Myers as the Chair and CEO of the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. This appointment marks the first time an openly transgender individual has held a cabinet position in the state's history. The Senate's confirmation vote, which took place on Tuesday, was unanimous, signaling broad support for Myers' leadership.
Prior to the vote, Myers addressed the Judiciary Committee, expressing her commitment to tackling the challenges of recruitment and retention within the state's public sector. "Moving forward, we need innovative approaches to meet staffing goals and the evolving needs of public service employers in New Jersey," Myers stated, according to the New Jersey Globe. She affirmed her readiness for the task, saying, "I'm confident I can handle this challenge, and I'm grateful for this opportunity."
The image above shows Allison Myers, who was confirmed by the New Jersey Senate as chair and CEO of the New Jersey Civil Service Commission on June 20, 2023, becoming the first transgender member of the New Jersey cabinet. (Office of the Governor)
The Judiciary Committee's endorsement of Myers was unanimous and without any questions, paving the way for the Senate's final approval. Governor Phil Murphy initially appointed Myers as acting chair and CEO in December of the previous year.
In past statements, Myers has emphasized that her gender identity shouldn't be a barrier to living her life authentically, according to North Jersey. She stated, "This is an integral part of who I am, and it always has been. It's simply one piece of the puzzle."
This image shows New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy addressing the media after a meeting with President Biden during the National Governors Association Winter Meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C. (Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
This appointment comes amidst ongoing legal battles between the Murphy administration and three school districts regarding policies related to transgender students. The administration recently filed lawsuits against the Middletown, Marlboro, and Manalapan-Englishtown Regional school districts, alleging that their newly adopted policies jeopardize the safety of transgender students. Attorney General Matt Platkin characterized the lawsuits as "emergency" filings.
