- What's at stake: The appointment is part of a growing trend of consumer experts moving into state roles as federal consumer oversight stalls.
- Key insight: Peterson helped advise on policy at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and was instrumental in expanding Military Lending Act protections for servicemembers and their families.
- Expert quote: "New Jersey consumers deserve transparent, fair prices—not hidden fees or subscription traps that can inflate the cost of everyday goods and services." —Christopher Peterson
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has nominated consumer rights advocate and legal scholar Christopher Peterson to be the director of New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs.
Peterson, who holds the John J. Flynn Endowed Professorship of Law at the University of Utah's S.J. Quinney College of Law, was a former senior advisor at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Utah's 2020 Democratic gubernatorial candidate. He is expected to assume the role of acting director on Aug. 3, pending confirmation by the state senate.
Peterson's appointment fits into a broader national trend of high-profile federal consumer protection leaders moving to state and municipal governments. His nomination comes at a time when state regulators are stepping up enforcement due to a pullback by the CFPB in the Trump administration.
"I would view this as part of a trend where the states have been bringing on some really strong, high-profile consumer advocates to run their consumer protection divisions," said Chi Chi Wu, a senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center. "Traditionally, consumer protection has been a state function and it shouldn't be seen as out of bounds for a state to engage in consumer protection."
New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs has a budget of $55 million and employs roughly 550 people split among several units, including an Office of Consumer Protection and a Bureau of Securities. It oversees 51 professional boards that regulate 720,000 licensees and 60,000 registered businesses. The division's oversight expanded this year to include insurance brokers and new regulatory oversight of data brokers.
In June, Sherrill signed an executive order and launched a statewide initiative to identify and eliminate so-called "junk fees," across various industries. The order defines junk fees as hidden, unexpected, or unnecessary charges that drive up costs for consumers without providing corresponding value.
Peterson said he looks forward to ensuring that consumers are "treated with dignity in the marketplace."
"New Jersey consumers deserve transparent, fair prices—not hidden fees or subscription traps that can inflate the cost of everyday goods and services," he said.
In the 2020 race for Utah's governor, Peterson faced off against the Republican nominee, then-Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox. His campaign was notable for a collaborative effort with his opponent to promote civility in politics. The two candidates appeared together in a joint TV announcement that focused on their ability to disagree on policy while maintaining mutual respect.
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Banks and financial firms are keeping an eye on state regulators.
"A lot of these Biden consumer protection alumni and other high-profile advocates are going to the states that have been consumer protection watchdogs," said Wu. "The fact that the Trump administration is trying to kneecap the CFPB, the natural reaction would be for the states to step up."
Wu noted several recent state-level hires. In May. California Governor Gavin Newsom hired former CFPB Director Rohit Chopra, to lead a new oversight agency called the Business and Consumer Services Agency. In January, New York City's Mayor Zoran Mamdani named Samuel A.A. Levine to be commissioner of the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. Levine had been the Federal Trade Commission's director of the bureau of consumer protection.
Peterson has played a central role in changing federal law.
As a senior advisor at the CFPB in its early years, he was instrumental in strengthening the Military Lending Act, which caps interest rates at 36% for payday and title loans, and provides financial protections for active-duty service members and their families. Under Peterson, the MLA's scope was expanded to include credit cards, installment loans and unsecured lines of credit.
"Chris Peterson has spent decades fighting for consumers through public service, congressional advocacy, and in the courtroom," Governor Sherrill said in a statement, saying that Peterson's background will help ensure New Jersey remains proactive in defending working families from predatory lending and rising costs.
State Attorney General Jennifer Davenport praised Peterson's record of holding lawbreakers accountable.
"New Jersey has some of the strongest laws in the country to curb the illegal conduct that is deepening our affordability crisis, and Chris's vast experience shaping consumer protection policy and enforcing the law will ensure that the Division of Consumer Affairs can lead the country in protecting working families," Davenport said.
Peterson replaces Jeremy E. Hollander, who served as acting director since January 2026 following the departure of former director Elizabeth M. Harris. Hollander will resume his previous position as deputy director of the division's Office of Consumer Protection.
