As a dedicated mother, federal prosecutor, pilot of U.S. Navy attack helicopters and progressive member of the U.S. Congress, Mikie Sherrill has built a résumé that made her the consensus Democratic choice to succeed Phil Murphy. Her bold promise to freeze utility rates reflects her combat background: “In a crisis, you have to choose to lead,” she says.
In November, voters will decide whether Mikie Sherrill or Republican Jack Ciattarelli should succeed Phil Murphy and become New Jersey’s 57th governor. New Jersey Monthly, in an effort to help voters make an informed choice, questioned both candidates on some burning Garden State issues, as well as some lighter matters.
NJM: If your opponent is elected, what will New Jersey look like four years from now? What group of Jerseyans will benefit most? Who will be hurt most?
Mikie Sherrill: There’s only one person who will benefit from four years of a Ciattarelli administration: Donald Trump. Jack is so beholden to Trump that he can’t name a single issue where he disagrees with the president.
With Jack in the governor’s office, New Jerseyans are going to foot the bill. He will raise taxes, just like he voted to do at every level of government he’s served. He will defund pensions for teachers, police officers, and firefighters, like he promised to do in 2020. I’ll fully fund the pension system so public servants can retire here.
Jack will also attack abortion rights through a ban and defunding Planned Parenthood. Here in New Jersey, we trust women and their doctors to make their own health care choices, so I’ll enshrine abortion protections into state law.
If you are elected, will you fight for the right of New Jerseyans to pump their own gas?
New Jerseyans should be able to have access to full-service gas. But what I hear from people about is the cost of gas. While Jack’s supporting Trump’s tariffs that are raising prices at the pump, I’ll work as governor to lower everyday costs to help families afford to live in our great state.
Can you name one thing Donald Trump has done right for New Jersey?
Throughout my first campaign, I heard from families across my district about how the opioid crisis had devastated our communities. I went to Congress on a mission to bring some long-overdue relief to New Jerseyans. Working across the aisle and with the administration on bipartisan legislation, I secured State Opioid Response grants that helped fund life-saving addiction-prevention and treatment programs.
What’s your Wawa order?
Roasted chicken bowl, because I am trying to be healthy, but I’m intrigued by the fried chicken, dill pickle and mac bowl.
What’s the first thing you will do as governor to make living in New Jersey less expensive? Who is to blame for the high cost of living in this state?
My first action will be to drive utility costs down, because we can’t make New Jersey more affordable without combating the skyrocketing energy costs that we’re seeing this summer. On day one, I’ll declare a state of emergency on utility costs and freeze utility rates for families to ensure that the average New Jerseyan doesn’t see an increase in their rates over the next year. Simultaneously, I’ll significantly scale up new, cheaper and cleaner power generation in our state, because more supply means lower bills. I’ll cut through red tape to build and fast-track new solar and battery storage projects, streamline nuclear upgrades, and modernize existing natural gas facilities to make them cleaner and more efficient.
Where is your favorite place to relax and spend time in New Jersey?
I love relaxing down the Shore or hiking at the Delaware Water Gap.
What’s the most repeated song on your playlist? Can you remember your first concert? Your last concert?
“I Wonder” by Rodriguez. My first concert was Genesis and my most recent concert was Pink.
Why don’t people trust politicians? Are there any concrete steps you would take to reduce the influence of political party bosses in Trenton?
There is not enough transparency and accountability in Trenton. I have never been afraid to take on my own party or entrenched special interests to deliver for New Jerseyans. We can help build trust between New Jerseyans and their leaders by expanding access to participation in the political process, which is why I have supported office-block ballots [without party labels], same-day voter registration, expanded early-voting sites, and getting dark money out of politics. I also believe we need greater transparency in government, particularly in our budget process.
Can you name a book of fiction you read the past year? Would you recommend it?
The Dispatcher by John Scalzi. It’s a fun beach read, near-future mystery, and I would definitely recommend it!
If you had to choose a cartoon character as running mate, who would it be and why?
Aang from Avatar: The Last Airbender—he doesn’t take himself too seriously, but has great power and uses it with care to help the vulnerable.
Party: Democratic
Lives in: Montclair
Political position: U.S. Representative, 11th District
Pre-political life: Federal prosecutor and Navy pilot
On day one: Sherrill has promised to declare a state of emergency on utility costs and freeze New Jerseyans’ utility rates.
Editor’s Note: These conversations have been edited and condensed for clarity. Both candidates were given an equal opportunity to respond to the same set of questions.
Jeff Pillets is a freelance writer living in Trenton who has covered New Jersey for more than 25 years.
