Rep. Mikie Sherrill Enters NJ Governor Race

Democrat Vows To 'Bring New Leadership' To Trenton

By: John Smith | 01/18/23

Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) announced her candidacy for New Jersey governor on Wednesday, becoming the first major Democrat to enter the race to succeed Gov. Phil Murphy.

In a video message posted to Twitter, Sherrill said she was running for governor because she believes New Jersey "needs new leadership." She criticized Murphy's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the state's high taxes, and its struggling public education system.

"We need a governor who will fight for the people of New Jersey, not just the special interests," Sherrill said. "I'm running for governor to bring new leadership to Trenton and to make New Jersey a better place for all our families."

Sherrill, a former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor, was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018. She is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Intelligence Committee.

Sherrill's entry into the race shakes up the Democratic primary, which had previously been seen as a two-way contest between Murphy and former Goldman Sachs executive David Wildstein.

Wildstein, who pleaded guilty to orchestrating the "Bridgegate" scandal in 2013, has been running a long-shot campaign for governor. He has criticized Murphy's handling of the pandemic and the state's economy.

Murphy, who is seeking a second term, is the heavy favorite in the Democratic primary. He has the support of the state Democratic Party establishment and a large campaign war chest.

The Republican primary is also expected to be competitive. Former Gov. Chris Christie, who served two terms from 2010 to 2018, is considering a run for his old job.

Other potential Republican candidates include Jack Ciattarelli, a former assemblyman who lost to Murphy in 2021, and Hirsh Singh, a businessman and philanthropist.

The New Jersey gubernatorial election will be held on November 7, 2023.