Garcia Balicki To Serve on Sherril’s Transition Team
Cumberland County Commissioner-Elect Yolanda Garcia Balicki was recently chosen by Governor-Elect Mikie Sherril to serve on the transition Local Government Advisory Group. Democrat Garcia Balicki, along with running mate John Capizola, ousted two incumbent Republicans in the November 4 election.
The defeat of Douglas Albrecht and Victoria Lods reduced the Republican majority from 6-1 to 4-3 in just two years.
Sherrill carried Cumberland by 2,070 votes, 52%-47%, against Republican Jack Ciattarelli. Four years ago, Ciattarelli prevailed in Cumberland by 12 points, 56%-44%, against Gov. Phil Murphy. Donald Trump won the county by six points in 2024, and Joe Biden won it by six points in 2020, according to the New Jersey Globe.
The bipartisan Local Government Advisory panel is made up of elected officials from across New Jersey who will lend their expertise and perspective to the total of ten Transition Action Teams to ensure that local communities across the state have a voice in the upcoming administration.
“I know that the best ideas come from working closely with local communities on the ground, and that’s why this advisory group is so important,” said Sherrill. “In Congress, I worked hand-in-hand with our local officials to deliver funding and federal resources for everything from flood mitigation to combatting auto thefts to building housing that working families can afford. I intend to have the same collaborative, mission-focused relationship in my administration—and that starts with the transition as we put our agenda together to be ready to deliver on Day One.”
Phil Alagia, chief of staff to Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo, will serve as a senior advisor to the Sherrill-Caldwell transition team tasked with facilitating collaboration with the advisory group, the transition team, and other key stakeholders. The group will seek input from the New Jersey Conference of Mayors, League of Municipalities, Association of Counties, and Urban Mayors Association.
Previously, Sherrill announced 10 Action Teams, led by New Jersey and national experts, to chart a bold course for New Jersey’s future and ensure the Governor-elect’s commitment to hit the ground running on Day One priorities. She also announced a transition Interdisciplinary Task Force and a public survey to guide her transition and seek input from a diverse array of voices.
