Harris to Resign if Confirmed to Supreme Court [VIDEO]

Mayor Bruce Harris said Monday if he is confirmed as a member of the Supreme Court of New Jersey, he will resign as mayor.

"I understand that some of you may be disappointed," Harris said in a prepared statement before the Chatham Borough Council Monday evening, adding he hopes to take up a volunteer position in the borough if his confirmation goes through. "I can only say that I worked very hard to become your mayor, and that having to make this choice is one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make."

Harris said he was "excited" at the nomination. "I'm at a loss for words, I've talked so much today. It's a tremendous honor," he said.

He currently does not know how long the confirmation process may take. The seat Harris was appointed to fill becomes vacant in March.

Harris was nominated by Gov. Chris Christie to the state Supreme Court on Monday after an interview process of several months, beginning in September 2011. "Several interviews ensued, leading to an interview with the governor in mid-December. The governor told me he wanted to nominate me a few days after the reorganization meeting this year," Harris said.

During that time, he said, he was not permitted to tell anyone he was being considered, outside his family.

Harris holds an MBA and has 15 years of corporate experience. He has worked as an attorney for more than 20 years and has been a resident of Chatham Borough for more than 30 years.

If Harris accepts this position on the state Supreme Court and is confirmed by the state Senate, he will have to resign his office as mayor.

The Republican Committee will have 15 days to nominate candidates for Harris' replacement, and the Chatham Borough Council will have 30 days to interview and select a candidate. That mayor will serve until November, when voters will select a mayor to fill the remainder of Harris' term. 

Harris began volunteering in municipal government 13 years ago, and was selected to fill a seat on the council vacated by Dick Plambeck when he was elected to mayor. Harris was re-elected to the council in 2005 and 2008, and was . He is .

Besides Harris, Phillip H. Kwon, first assistant Attorney General in the Department of Law and Public Safety and former Deputy Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division was also nominated for the state Supreme Court.

“I am extraordinarily proud to announce these two historic nominations to the New Jersey State Supreme Court. Bruce and Phil are each accomplished and talented individuals with skilled legal minds who are highly respected in the legal community. Just as importantly, each of them has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to serving their state and communities,” Christie said.

Former State Sen. Leanna Brown wrote in an email it is "an honor to be nominated to the highest court in [New Jersey]" and Harris "will do the Garden State proud."

If confirmed, Harris will be the first openly gay and third black member of the state Supreme Court. Kwon, if confirmed, will be the first Asian American member of the court.

Chatham Patch will continue to update this story.