Civil rights attorney Kevin D. Walsh—who has led efforts to end the state's death penalty, provide affordable housing, and build inclusive playgrounds—was nominated by Gov. Phil Murphy on Thursday to serve as state comptroller.

According to a release, Walsh assumes the role of acting comptroller on Monday, Jan. 27, replacing Philip Degnan, who last year was confirmed to a Superior Court judgeship. Degnan served since 2015, appointed by then-Gov. Chris Christie.

Walsh is currently executive director of the Fair Share Housing Center, overseeing efforts to enforce affordable housing rules set forth in the Mount Laurel line of cases.

If confirmed by the Senate, Walsh would serve for a six-year term. He becomes only the fourth person to head the office, which was recreated in 2007 by an act of the Legislature. Matthew Boxer was New Jersey's first independent state comptroller from January 2008 through December 2013. He was followed by Marc Larkins, who served as acting comptroller from 2013 to 2015. Degnan came next.

"As a dedicated public interest attorney, Kevin's independent and thorough judgement make him an ideal fit to stand up for New Jersey taxpayers as our next State Comptroller," Murphy said in the release. "Kevin has a proven track record of fighting for civil rights and government accountability, regardless of politics or pressure."

Walsh said he was "deeply honored" by the governor's nomination and confidence in his ability.

"I am excited to join the Governor's Cabinet and to lead an agency that has made municipal, county, and state entities more effective, more efficient, and more accountable to the people they serve," Walsh said in the same release from the Governor's Office.

Those who have worked with him praised his professionalism and sense of fairness.

"Over the course of his career, Kevin Walsh has been a champion for equal rights and government accountability," said Sen. Troy Singleton, D-Burlington, whose district includes Mount Laurel, where the decades-long affordable housing cases originated.

Boxer, who was been with Lowenstein Sandler since leaving the office, said Walsh "has all the skills required to be a successful Comptroller and, by all indications, he's a great fit for this appointment."

Walsh, a graduate of Rutgers Law School-Camden, previously served as counsel to New Jerseyans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. Walsh served on the Supreme Court's Committee on Character, to review applicants to the New Jersey bar, and Practice Committee, which reviews and recommends potential changes to New Jersey court rules. As a volunteer with Build Jake's Place, Walsh has helped build inclusive playgrounds, the release noted.