Senate President Nick Scutari has promoted Matthew Peterson to deputy executive director and general counsel of the Senate Majority Office, and named Justin Rodriguez, a state government veteran, as deputy executive director.
Scutari had previously named Jessica Cohen, his former chief of staff, as executive director after Tim Lydon left the Senate to join the Sherrill for Governor campaign. Lydon is now chief counsel to the governor.
Peterson has worked for the legislature for over twelve years, the last five in the Senate Majority Office. He’s been the Democratic committee aide in the Senate Judiciary Committee, where Scutari was the longtime chairman before becoming Senate President four years ago. Before that, he worked as a senior counsel at the Office of Legislative Services.
“He has provided astute legal advice to the Democratic Caucus and has helped guide the work of the Senate Judiciary Committee during challenging times, including the confirmation of a record number of judges to the State’s courts,” Scutari stated. “I have complete confidence in his ability to successfully accomplish what needs to be done to advance the legislative goals of the Senate Democratic Majority.”
Rodriguez has served as assistant commissioner at the Department of Health, chief of staff for the Cannabis Regulator Commission, deputy chief of staff at the Department of Human Services, and chief of staff to Assembly Health Committee Chairman Herb Conaway, Jr., now a congressman. He also worked as a senior legislative aide to Gov. Phil Murphy.
“I welcome Justin to the Senate Democratic team at a pivotal time,” said Scutari. “He brings with him a wealth of experience with issues of importance to New Jersey and a record of accomplishment in a variety of relevant positions. His background with the Legislature, the Department of Human Services, and Health Department will be invaluable as the State confronts dramatic federal cutbacks in Medicaid and contends with the children’s mental health crisis.”
