TRENTON, NJ (TIP): On December 12, a Sikh Indian-American Gurbir S. Grewal, was nominated by NJ Governor-elect Phil Murphy as New Jersey’s next attorney general. Grewal, a Democrat, on confirmation by state Senate, will become New Jersey’s top law enforcement official. He will be the first South Asian attorney general in New Jersey and the first Sikh to hold the position in any state.

Attorney general is the most powerful position in New Jersey government. He leads a number of departments including Law and Public Safety, civil rights, consumer affairs and police.

Grewal was twice nominated by the current governor, Republican Chris Christie, to be prosecutor in Bergen County, New Jersey’s most populous county.

Grewal left private law practice 14 years ago to enter public service.

“I wanted to give back to a country that has given us, and other immigrant families like us so much,” Grewal, the Bergen County prosecutor, recalled, “I experienced hate and intolerance firsthand

He said after the nomination: “The American dream is alive and well in New Jersey.”

According to media sources Governor-elect Murphy, commented that he wanted an attorney general who would “stand up” to Trump and his fellow Republicans who control Congress.