TRENTON -- Gov.-elect Phil Murphy has tapped a lobbyist with Democratic ties in the state, Pete Cammarano, to work as his incoming chief of staff, Murphy's transition team announced Tuesday.

Cammarano, former Gov. Richard Codey's chief of staff, is a partner at Trenton-based government relations firm CLB Partners. Also, Matt Platkin, who served as Murphy's policy director during the campaign, will be his chief counsel, the team announced.

"My administration will be judged both by the quality of the ideas put forward, and by our ability to implement an agenda that moves our state and our people forward in a new and better direction," Murphy said in a statement.

"The people have entrusted us to make New Jersey the place where progressive ideals and responsible government go hand-in-hand," he said. "With Pete and Matt leading the team, we will be in a strong position to achieve that goal."

Shortly after Murphy defeated Republican rival Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno last week, NJ Advance Media confirmed that Cammarano would be named chief of staff

Cammarano was Codey's chief of staff in 2004. Prior to then, he worked as the lawmaker's chief of staff in the state Senate for a decade. He was the director of public affairs for the Department of Insurance under former Gov. Jim Florio.

"He's the best you can get," Codey said. "(Murphy) could not have made a better selection."

He's the current mayor of Metuchen -- though he will step down at the end of the year, according to Murphy's transition team.

Cammarano also headed a marijuana business organization, the New Jersey Cannabis Industry Association, prior to the news of his position in the new administration.

Platkin worked in private practice at New York-based Debevoise & Plimpton prior before he joined Murphy's gubernatorial exploratory committee. He also worked on U.S. Sen. Cory Booker's 2013 campaign.

A chief of staff serve's as the governor's right hand and reports directly to the executive. The chief counsel is the senior legal advisor to the governor.

Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or Facebook.