TRENTON, N.J. - Before the big speeches, before the pomp and circumstance of Inauguration Day, New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill is tasked with assembling her administration.

On Thursday, the governor-elect announced her chief of staff, campaign manager Alex Ball, and chief counsel, Tim Lydon.

But there are many more positions to fill.

"We have one of the most powerful governors in the country," said Rider University political professor Micah Rasmussen. "They're vested with more powers than any other governor, and the biggest one of those is the appointment power."

Rasmussen says the Governor-elect will have the chance to appoint heads of around 15 executive branch departments in State government.

"Those include Department of Environmental Protection, Education, Department of H

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