As Rep. Mikie Sherrill pushes her bid for governor of New Jersey, progressive Democrats and grassroots activists are raising pointed questions about her commitment to core Democratic values.
Sherrill leans heavily on her experience as a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, Navy helicopter pilot, and former federal prosecutor, but she is also a multimillionaire.
Sherrill, a member of the conservative Blue Dog Coalition in Congress, has sought to position herself as a pragmatic leader capable of bridging divides but her $10 million net worth, vague policy promises and reluctance to embrace bold progressive initiatives have left some questioning whether she truly represents the future of the Democratic Party.
On her website, Sherrill declared, “As governor, I will work to create a welcoming business environment,” a statement that raised eyebrows among progressives.
Critics argue that her rhetoric lacks substance, particularly as she failed to outline specific policies to achieve her goals. Instead, Sherrill offered broad promises to “reduce the cost of living,” a pledge that some say echoes the kind of empty political platitudes voters have grown weary of.
“Mikie Sherrill talks a good game, but when it comes to delivering concrete solutions for working families, she falls short,” said Lisa McCormick, a progressive who challenged disgraced former US Senator Bob Menendez in the New Jersey’s 2018 Democratic primary election. “We need a governor who isn’t afraid to take bold action on issues like housing, health care, and wages. Vague promises about reducing costs aren’t enough.”
Sherrill’s record in Congress has also come under scrutiny. While she has touted her efforts to lower health care costs, she has notably declined to cosponsor Medicare for All, the landmark legislation championed by progressives like Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Pramila Jayapal.
The bill, which would establish a single-payer health care system, has become a litmus test for many Democrats seeking to prove their commitment to universal health care.
“It’s hard to take Rep. Sherrill seriously on health care when she won’t even support the most comprehensive solution on the table,” said McCormick, a vocal advocate for Medicare for All. “New Jersey families deserve a leader who will fight for them, not someone who plays it safe to appease corporate interests.”
Sherrill’s alignment with the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of fiscally conservative Democrats, has further fueled skepticism about her progressive credentials. The coalition has historically opposed sweeping social spending programs and has often sided with corporate interests, a stance that puts Sherrill at odds with the increasingly progressive Democratic base in New Jersey.
At least nine members of the Blue Dog Coalition have switched parties to become Republicans, including Rodney Alexander, Nathan Deal, Ralph Hall, Jimmy Hayes, Virgil Goode, Parker Griffith, Michael Parker, Billy Tauzin, and Jeff Van Drew.
“The Blue Dogs are relics of a bygone era,” said McCormick. “The Democratic Party has moved away from the center on issues like climate change, health care, and economic justice. If Sherrill wants to win over primary voters, she’s going to have to show that she’s more than just a corporate-friendly right-wing warmongering Wall Streeter.”
Like many other corrupt Democrats and Republicans, Sherril’s political success is directly linked to her wealth and fundraising prowess.
Sherrill’s congressional campaigns raised more than $25 million for her first four elections, her gubernatorial effort has collected $1.4 million in contributions as of January 16, 2025, and Sherrill’s lawyers filed a petition with the Federal Election Commission asking if her campaign and leadership PAC can legally transfer up to $5 million to independent groups—like super PACs—that can pour unlimited cash into her 2025 New Jersey governor’s race.
She has received large contributions from billionaires, including Bill Gates, cryptocurrency and finance industry executives, and war profiteers.
Pushing back against these criticisms, her bipartisan approach is delivering results for New Jersey families.
“Congresswoman Sherrill has a proven track record of fighting for affordable health care, lowering costs, and creating good-paying jobs,” said a campaign spokesperson. “She’s running for governor to bring people together and get things done, not to engage in partisan battles.”
Failure to engage in partisan fights during the Trump era isn’t steering clear of pointless squabbles. It’s losing.
But for many progressives, Sherrill’s reluctance to embrace bold policies like Medicare for All or a Green New Deal raises red flags.
As the gubernatorial race heats up, they argue that New Jersey deserves a leader who will champion transformative change, not incrementalism.
“Mikie Sherrill may call herself a Democrat, but her record tells a different story,” said McCormick. “If she wants to be governor, she needs to prove she’s willing to fight for the values that Democrats stand for—not just the ones that are politically convenient and don’t cost the billionaires anything.”
As the primary approaches, Sherrill’s ability to reconcile her right-wing ‘centrist’ record with the demands of an increasingly progressive electorate may determine whether she can secure the nomination—and, ultimately, the governorship.