Blue Dog Democrat Rep. Mikie Sherrill~the U.S. Representative for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District~says she has garnered a double-digit advantage over the rest of the Democratic candidates for governor in 2025.
At least, that’s what she wants us to believe after her campaign leaked the results of a favorable public opinion survey.
While she has positioned herself as a ‘centrist’ Blue Dog Democrat with a background in national security, a closer look at her right-wing record reveals troubling aspects that make her an unsuitable candidate for the state’s highest office.
Sherrill has consistently demonstrated an approach that aligns more closely with Republicans and corporate interests than with progressive policies that New Jersey voters demand.
Her voting record in Congress has often reflected a prioritization of Wall Street, big business, and corporate donors over working-class families and labor unions.
Sherrill has received significant campaign contributions from corporate PACs, particularly those in the finance, real estate, and healthcare sectors. This raises concerns about her potential to govern with the interests of the people in mind, given her reliance on corporate donors.
Sherrill has worked to pass legislation that would eliminate the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap, which would have no impact on the vast majority of New Jersey families while serving up big tax breaks for the wealthy.
“Securing SALT relief for New Jersey families from Trump’s disastrous tax bill has been a top priority of mine since I first took office,” said Sherrill.
While the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act showered benefits on the richest Americans, the $10,000 limit on SALT deductions took money away from few working-class New Jerseyans.
Not many people itemize their federal tax returns, and the average property tax bill is $9,000, so a $10,000 cap on SALT deductions covers more than half of those who do. Millionaire Governor Phil Murphy pays $200,000 in property taxes on his Middletown mansion, but the former Goldman Sachs executive is not representative of those who need relief.
Sherrill has avoided championing key progressive labor policies that would empower New Jersey’s working class, including support for Medicare for all and making everyone pay the same rate to finance Social Security.
Currently, FICA taxes don’t apply to earnings above $168,000 or any unearned investment income.
Sherrill has an inconsistent history of political opportunism, taking positions based on political expediency rather than a consistent commitment to progressive values.
While Sherrill touts her support for common-sense gun reforms, her record in Congress is less impressive. She has failed to lead on key pieces of legislation to address gun violence and has not pushed for stronger action against the gun lobby, which continues to wield significant influence in Washington.
- Healthcare: Sherrill’s reluctance to support Medicare for All, a key issue for many progressive voters, is a serious concern. Her endorsement of incremental changes to healthcare, while pragmatic, fails to address the urgent need for universal healthcare in a state like New Jersey, where healthcare access and affordability remain pressing issues.
- Alienating Progressives: Sherrill has alienated key progressive factions within the Democratic Party by distancing herself from essential policies like the Green New Deal and advocating for incremental rather than transformative climate action. This approach has led to dissatisfaction among environmental activists and younger voters, who are crucial to a winning Democratic coalition.
- Failure to Prioritize Racial Justice: Sherrill has been criticized for not taking a more prominent stance on racial justice issues, including police reform. Her failure to fully support progressive racial justice reforms that might scare her predominantly white affluent constituency raises questions about her commitment to addressing systemic racism and inequality in New Jersey’s communities.
- Environmentally-Friendly Rhetoric, Weak Record: Despite her claims to care about the environment, Sherrill’s record on climate change has been underwhelming. She has sided with business interests in opposing some climate action measures and has not been an outspoken advocate for bold policies needed to combat the climate crisis. As New Jersey faces increasingly frequent climate-related events, including flooding and coastal erosion, Sherrill’s failure to push for a Green New Deal-like initiative at the state level raises concerns about her ability to lead on climate policy.
- Opposition to Bold Tax Reform: Sherrill has shown reluctance to embrace bold tax policies that could significantly benefit the working class in New Jersey. Her avoidance of comprehensive tax reform proposals that would tax the wealthy and reduce the burden on middle and lower-income New Jerseyans makes her an unsuitable candidate for a state that faces rising property taxes and income inequality. Her stance on taxes tends to align more with establishment Democrats, many of whom avoid pushing for the necessary progressive reforms.
- Lack of Strong Local Leadership Experience: Although Sherrill has served in Congress, her experience with state-level governance is limited. New Jersey’s governor needs a leader with deep roots in the state’s issues and a clear understanding of its complex urban, suburban, and rural dynamics.
- Failure to Deliver for New Jersey: Despite serving in Congress since 2019, Sherrill’s record on delivering tangible results for New Jersey voters has been lackluster. She has failed to recover as much for New Jersey as the state sends to Washington, and many of her constituents report dissatisfaction with her ability to advocate effectively for their concerns at the federal level. Sherrill’s weakness in securing funding for New Jersey raises questions about her capacity to lead the state as governor.
Sherrill’s political record and approach to governance make her an unsuitable candidate for governor of New Jersey.
Her centrist, corporate-friendly stance on key issues such as labor rights, healthcare, and tax reform, as well as her weak environmental and racial justice records, should give Democratic voters pause.
New Jersey deserves a governor who is committed to bold, progressive change—a leader who will fight for workers, champion racial justice, and prioritize the environment.
Sherrill’s lack of significant state-level experience and failure to consistently advocate for progressive policies leave her unprepared to address the pressing challenges facing New Jersey.
Sherrill’s national focus and neoliberal economic attitudes raise concerns about her readiness to manage the state’s day-to-day operations, particularly in dealing with urgent challenges like property taxes, education funding, and healthcare access.
Murphy’s leaving his successor a budget that is $20 billion greater than the one he inherited, and Sherrill is sure to impose austerity measures before making corporations and billionaires ante up a bigger tax payment.
Fox News gave Sherrill and her fellow neoliberal Democratic U.S. House member Josh Gottheimer, top billing the week they each announced candidatcies for governor.
Also seeking the Democratic nod are Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, teachers union president Sean Spiller and former state Senate President Steve Sweeney.
Lining up to compete in the Republican primary are 2021 GOP nominee Jack Ciattarelli, state Senator Jon Bramnick, former state Sen. Ed Durr and MAGA radio host Bill Spadea.
Each party will select a contender in June to face voters in the November general election.
Democratic voters should reject Sherrill’s quasi-Republican candidacy and look for a candidate who will fight for their values on issues that matter most to the people of New Jersey.