Christie's Cabinet-Confirmations

The Senate Judiciary Committee signed off on Gov. Chris Christie's choices for attorney general and leader of the National Guard on Monday, clearing the way for confirmation votes by the full Senate.

The nominations of Paula Dow as attorney general and Maj. Gen. Glenn Rieth as adjutant general of Veterans and Military Affairs were approved unanimously. Dow was quizzed for nearly five hours before the vote, while Rieth's hearing took less than an hour. About 16 Cabinet nominations have yet to go before the Judiciary panel.

"I'm proud of what we accomplished during my tenure as Essex County prosecutor," Dow said to start the hearing. "I believe that my seven years in that office prepared me to lead New Jersey's attack on public corruption, its attack on drugs, trafficking, illegal fire arms, violent street crime and fraud."

Dow, a Democrat, was questioned on a broad range of topics including gangs, consumer affairs, juvenile detention, stun guns and airport security. Christie's chief counsel, Jeff Chiesa, and appointments counsel, Michele Brown, sat behind Dow and looked on throughout the hearing.

Sen. Nia Gill, an Essex County Democrat who had the power to block Dow's nomination under an unwritten rule known as "senatorial courtesy," instead questioned her for more than an hour over how her office handled the case of a Newark councilwoman who was forced from office after having been found to have interfered in a traffic stop involving her nephew.

Dow reversed course on forcing Dana Rone from office, unsuccessfully asking a judge to lift her office-holding ban. Gov. Jon Corzine later pardoned Rone, but the pardon doesn't take effect for four years.

Dow, who was praised as "a tremendous choice" by Democratic Sen. Brian Stack, said she fully understands the havoc that gangs cause to the communities they inhabit. She called the gang problem a statewide issue with concentrations of membership in certain areas and vowed continued vigilance against gang violence and witness intimidation.

"It would be foolish of us to let down our guard just because a new administration is here," Dow said.

The only time Dow tripped up came when she was asked to name her acting Consumer Affairs director, and she blanked on Sharon Joyce's name.

"Last names are not my strength," said Dow, scrunching up her face.

Dow and Christie are both former federal prosecutors. Dow is one of at least 15 former prosecutors named to Christie's staff.

Dow and Rieth are the first of Christie's Cabinet nominees to go before the committee. The full Senate also must approve the nominations.

Rieth, who has been in the position since shortly after 9/11, is one of four holdovers from Gov. Jon Corzine's Cabinet.

He praised the 8,475 Air and Army guardsmen under his command.

"Because of their sacrifice, we Americans continue to live with all our freedoms and liberties," he said. "If Gov. Christie calls up our National Guard, we will be there."

Sen. Nick Scutari, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he anticipated that all the Republican governor's Cabinet nominees will be confirmed by the Democratic-controlled Senate.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.