Mikie Sherrill, a Democratic Congresswoman from New Jersey, has announced that she is running for governor in 2025.
She wants to take over after Governor Phil Murphy finishes his term, as he cannot run again due to term limits.
Sherrill has made it clear that her focus will be on fixing the economy and making life more affordable for New Jerseyans.
And it’s worth noting Sherrill has an impressive background.
She graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served as a helicopter pilot in the Navy.
Later, she worked as a federal prosecutor before entering politics.
In her campaign announcement, she said her military experience taught her to make decisions in tough times.
She explained that she is ready to act now to address the challenges New Jersey is facing.
One of her main goals is to make life more affordable for families in New Jersey.
She talked about the rising costs of healthcare, groceries, and childcare and said these are problems that need to be solved.
She believes her experience and leadership skills make her the right person to handle these issues.
Sherrill has been a U.S. Representative since 2018, representing the 11th District, which includes parts of Essex, Morris, and Passaic counties.
When she first ran for office, she flipped the district from Republican to Democratic control and has been re-elected thrice.
Her work in Congress has focused on passing bipartisan laws to lower healthcare costs, reduce taxes, and protect freedoms.
During her second term, the Center for Effective Lawmaking recognized her as the most effective member of Congress from New Jersey.
The race for governor is crowded, with several Democrats and Republicans competing for the position.
On the Democratic side, candidates include Representative Josh Gottheimer, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, former state Senate President Steve Sweeney, and New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller.
On the Republican side, state Senator Jon Bramnick, former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, former Senator Ed Durr, and radio host Bill Spadea are running.
Sherrill’s campaign has already gained support from EMILY’s List, a national group that backs Democratic women candidates.
They praised her military service and work in Congress and said they hope she will become New Jersey’s first Democratic woman governor.
Sherrill is also focused on protecting reproductive rights, which is a concern she says has grown due to national political trends.
She pointed to situations in other states where women have been denied necessary healthcare and vowed to make New Jersey a leader in protecting freedoms.
She has built a reputation in Congress for working across party lines and getting results.
Her priorities include fighting inflation, reducing costs for families, and creating more affordable housing by redeveloping unused properties.
She has also worked on laws to protect children from the harmful effects of social media and supports U.S. aid for Ukraine and Israel.
The election is one of only two governor races in 2025, with the other in Virginia.
These races are expected to draw national attention as they will reflect how voters feel about current political trends.
New Jersey’s election is particularly important because the results could show what voters want from their leaders as the next presidential election approaches.
Sherrill will need to resign from Congress if her seat becomes vacant within 70 days of the election, which would trigger a special election to fill her spot.
Her district covers 15 towns in Essex County, 27 in Morris County, and four in Passaic County.
She has a strong base of supporters in these areas who have seen her work up close.
The governor’s race is expected to be competitive, as candidates offer different ideas for the state’s future.
Some opponents have criticized Sherrill for being too close to political insiders, while others have focused on grassroots campaigns to connect with voters.
Meanwhile, Republican candidates focus on issues like public safety and affordability, which they believe are important to voters.
This election will be closely watched across the country.
With her military, legal system, and Congress background, Sherrill believes she has the experience and determination to lead New Jersey into the future.
Her campaign is focused on real solutions to make life better for people in the state and protect their rights.
Voters will have a big decision to make as they choose the next leader of New Jersey.