Phil Murphy became the 56th Governor of New Jersey on January 16, 2018. He won re-election in 2021, becoming the first Democrat since Brendan Byrne in 1977 to do so. His first term, overshadowed by the Covid-19 pandemic, has been characterized as establishing the already liberal-leaning state as one of the nation's most progressive. Election, transition, and inauguration Murphy, a Democrat, was elected on November 7, 2017, in the New Jersey gubernatorial election. His election made New Jersey the seventh state in the US where control of the legislative and executive branches fell to Democrats. His transition team comprised over 500 persons who produced 14 reports with recommendations. He was sworn in at the Trenton War Memorial on January 16, 2018, for a term of four years. An inaugural ball was held at MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands. In March 2019, the state of New Jersey has approved a recall petition effort to collect 1.5 million signatures to force Murphy to a recall election. In November 2021, Murphy was re-elected for a second term, the first Democratic Governor of New Jersey to win re-election since Brendan Byrne in 1977. Cabinet As of 2018, there were 24 cabinet positions within the executive branch of the Government of New Jersey. Most cabinet nominees need to be confirmed by the New Jersey Senate before assuming their respective positions. Murphy had announced most nominations prior to his inauguration; some nominees have held their positions in prior administrations. In August 2018, Murphy created the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology, naming Beth Simone Noveck as Chief Innovation Officer. Women make up more than 50% of the cabinet. Environment and energy RGGI and Paris Accord On November 29, 2011, New Jersey withdrew from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, effective January 1, 2012. Murphy has said he would sign legislation to re-join. On January 29, 2018, Murphy signed an executive order reinstating New Jersey back into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. In February 2018 he signed legislation committing New Jersey to the Paris Agreement. In February 2022 he announced the state would use $70 of funding from RGGI to support electrification of medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Energy Master Plan In June 2019 Murphy revealed a draft Energy Master Plan, which envisions New Jersey as being 100% reliant on sustainable energy by 2050. Clean energy In February 2022 he signed an executive order setting a goal