Two days after her election as New Jersey’s 57th governor, Mikie Sherrill has named the top two members of her senior staff, with Alex Ball, who managed Sherrill’s landslide victory, as chief of staff, and former Superior Court Judge Timothy Lydon will serve as chief counsel.
The two posts are among the most powerful posts in state government and will help shape Sherrill’s fledgling administration as she prepares to take office on January 20, 2026.
Ball had been Sherrill’s chief of staff in the U.S. House of Representatives before leaving to run the governor’s race. She had served as chief of staff to Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colorado) and previously held top positions at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Emily’s List. In 2016, Ball managed Josh Gottheimer’s first campaign for Congress in New Jersey’s 5th district when he unseated seven-term Rep. Scott Garrett (R-Wantage).
Lydon had been executive director of the New Jersey Senate Majority Office before taking a leave to work on Sherrill’s campaign as policy director and general counsel. He served as Gov. Jon Corzine’s director of cabinet affairs and as chief of staff to Rep. John Adler (D-Cherry Hill). He ran the Senate office under Senate President Steve Sweeney and then spent eight years as a judge before returning to the Senate at the request of Senate President Nicholas Scutari in 2022.
“Each of them brings exceptional leadership, integrity, competence, and a deep commitment to service,” Sherrill said. “Their expertise and dedication will help us build an administration that delivers real results for New Jersey—a strong economy, affordable communities, and a state government focused on saving New Jerseyans time and money.”
Ball said the Sherrill team “will take the values and vision of Mikie’s campaign to Trenton and deliver on an agenda that delivers for New Jerseyans.”
“This is a moment of great opportunity for our state, and I look forward to helping build a team that reflects New Jersey and delivers meaningful change for the people. I have seen firsthand the grit and determination Mikie brings to serving others and this administration will be no different,” Ball stated.
Lydon said he plans to help the governor-elect “advance her mission of transparent, ethical, and accountable government.”
“Our administration will always put the public interest first, and I look forward to working together with Alex to serve a Governor deeply committed to affordability and ruthless competence to deliver real results,” he said.
