Meet Your New Jersey Governor: Mikie Sherrill

Written by: Asha Gavaghan (‘28) & Lianna Bakaradze-Marin (‘28)

In this year's New Jersey Governor Election, Democratic Representative Mikie Sherrill secured the win! At 56.6%, she won over Republican Representative Jack Ciatterelli who reached 42.8%. Sherrill, 53, served as a pilot in the Navy and worked as a federal prosecutor. She will mark New Jersey’s 57th Governor, second female leader, and third consecutive democratic candidate. Throughout her campaign, she’s highlighted her stance on various major topics, including the education system, affordability, government transparency and accountability, and hopes to make an impact on all of these issues.

Governor Sherrill is no stranger to serving our country. As mentioned, she is a Navy helicopter pilot and Naval Academy graduate, graduating from the first class of women eligible for combat roles on ships and aircraft in 1994. She was inspired to join the military from her grandfather, who was a WWII veteran, and she’s spent 10 years on active duty in the Navy. Not only is she active in the military, but she also attended and graduated law school, joining the New Jersey U.S. Attorney’s Office. She’s worked for many years keeping New Jersey communities safe and worked with various programs to help keep illegal firearms off the streets of New Jersey and helping people start new lives by gaining employment, housing, and education.

As Governor, Sherrill wants to advocate for the public school systems that are so often left behind. As part of her platform, Sherrill explains, “I see my number one job as governor is making sure every child has access to a great public school education.” To account for the learning loss caused by COVID-19, she wants to expand on tutoring programs, and increase the number of school counselors to aid with the rising mental health crisis. She will continue to fight for our public school systems throughout her term, in hopes of bringing new opportunities to students everywhere in New Jersey.  

As a mother of 4 kids, she’s experienced firsthand how New Jersey's affordability is a continuous strain for many families. With the great rise in energy costs, she will declare a state of emergency on utility costs with the intention of freezing rate hikes. She’s eager to push tax relief for middle-income families, considering how New Jersey has one of the highest property taxes in the country. She understands the devastating impact that taxes have on families, especially throughout the past couple of years, and claims she will do everything in her power to cater to our needs. “From housing and grocery prices, to child care and health care, I will work constantly as your governor to bring down costs for families,” Sherrill assures. 

One of the greatest concerns New Jersey residents have is knowing where their tax money is going, and what it’s funding in their community. Sherrill has made one of the biggest points of her campaign government transparency after highlighting how when taxpayers are left in the dark, it weakens public trust and allows for wasteful spending. She plans to create a kind of “Report Card,” which will allow New Jerseyans to understand their state programs, including their costs and what they support. It’ll reveal where tax payers’ money is going, in hopes of creating a well trusted, secure, government. 

“I have spent my life fighting for our country and our values. When those values are jeopardized, when our democracy is threatened, I believe it is our responsibility to speak out and demand accountability,” Sherrill states. Congratulations to our new New Jersey Governor, and good luck!