Aaron Binder, who has served as deputy state treasurer since December of 2021, will be
named to the top job later today by Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill, BINJE has learned.
Binder’s rise to the top job (he will replace Elizabeth Muoio) is not surprising. (The New Jersey Globe said as much here.) His resume seemingly makes him the ideal choice.
As deputy treasurer, Binder not only assisted in managing the state budget, he oversaw
the Treasury’s Office of Management and Budget, Office of Revenue and Economic
Analysis and the Division of Taxation.
In addition to his time as deputy treasurer, Binder served as deputy executive director of the Assembly Majority Office during a 16-year stint with the Assembly. He was a go-to source for the Assembly Budget Committee and was the in-house expert on fiscal issues.
All of this experience will be put to the test immediately. Sherrill will need to present her first budget to the Legislature a little over a month after she takes office on Jan. 20.
Muoio gave Binder a ringing endorsement.
“I could not be more pleased about Governor-Elect Sherrill’s choice of Aaron Binder to step up and assume leadership of this great department,” she said in a statement. “I first worked with Aaron during my time as a member of the Assembly Budget Committee, and asked him to join us in Treasury in late 2021 as we prepared for the start of Gov. Murphy’s second term. Since that time he has been a highly valued member of my leadership team, serving as Deputy Treasurer and helping oversee the work of our budgeting, revenue forecasting and tax divisions.
“As I prepare to step down after eight years as State Treasurer, I know I am leaving a department much stronger and better prepared to meet future challenges, and it is deeply gratifying to be handing the reins to a trusted and talented colleague who has worked alongside me and who values the mission and people of Treasury as much as I do. Aaron is an excellent choice, and I know he and the Treasury team will continue to serve the people of New Jersey well.”
