New Jersey Names 1st Openly LGBTQ+ Attorney General

NEW JERSEY — Gov. Phil Murphy has named Andrew Bruck as acting attorney general following news that Gurbir Grewal will be leaving the post. Bruck's appointment is historic, as he'll be the first openly LGBTQ+ person to serve as attorney general.

Bruck currently serves as first assistant attorney general, and has been part of the executive leadership team at the Attorney General’s Office since January 2018. He will step into the acting attorney general role for the remainder of Murphy's term in office.

“I am pleased to announce that Andrew Bruck will step in to serve as Acting Attorney General and continue the office’s mission of fighting for equal justice for everyone who calls our state home,” said Governor Murphy.

“Andrew’s wealth of experience will serve him well in this role and his historic appointment reflects our continuing commitment to ensuring that our state government reflects the rich diversity of our people.”

Prior to his roles in the Attorney General's Office, Bruck spent five years at the U.S. Department of Justice. During that time, he served as an assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, and held several roles in the office of Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, including senior counsel, deputy chief of staff, and acting chief of staff.

The departing Grewal said he was "thrilled" by Murphy's selection.

"Andrew is one of the sharpest legal minds and finest public servants that I have ever met. We entered office together on January 16, 2018, and since that day he has worked tirelessly to stand up for the rights of New Jerseyans, having helped shape some of our office’s most important policies and respond to many of our state’s most complex legal challenges. The people of New Jersey and the dedicated public servants in the Department of Law and Public Safety will be well-served by his leadership," he said.

Former Acting Attorney General Sally Yates also voiced support of the decision.

"[Bruck] is trusted by both the civil rights and law enforcement communities because of his track record for forging much-needed meaningful reforms to our criminal justice system while respecting the difficult and crucial role of law enforcement. He is a public servant in the truest sense of the words, and the people of New Jersey can be confident that he will take his responsibility to represent them to heart," she said.

As for Bruck, he said he was "honored to continue the groundbreaking work" of Grewal, and said he had the same vision for the office as Murphy and Grewal.

"I share their commitment to protecting public safety, building public trust, and ensuring the rights of all New Jerseyans. I look forward to working with our Department's 7,700 extraordinary public servants to carry out our vital mission," said Bruck.

A New Jersey native, the Acting Attorney General grew up in Montclair and Mendham. He currently lives in Trenton with his husband and 8-month-old daughter.