Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) is set to announce her resignation from Congress this week, and the number of candidates eyeing her seat is near a dozen.
As over 10 New Jersey Democrats vie for the special election, top blue lawmakers in the state have split endorsements, setting up a lively primary battle in the Garden State’s 11th congressional district. A former Obama administration staffer, an ex-congressman, Gov. Phil Murphy’s (D-NJ) former campaign manager, and several local officials will face off in the crowded primary.
Murphy donned Brendan Gill, his 2017 campaign manager and current Essex County Commissioner, with an endorsement this week, saying, “I wouldn’t be here without him.”
“There’s a lot of talent lining up to succeed Mikie, but Brendan is special. He spent his career getting results, fighting for progressive values, and helping to elect Democrats across New Jersey, including me,” Murphy said. “Now we need Brendan in D.C., to help lower costs, complete the Gateway program, and protect our freedoms.”
Murphy took a page out of Sherrill’s campaign playbook with his endorsement rhetoric, narrowing in on affordability and the “Gateway” tunnel project that she spoke so much about during her candidacy.
Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) has endorsed former Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) for the seat. Kim focused his endorsement not on affordability, but instead on endorsing Malinowski as a Democrat “genuine in his love for public service,” who can also fight the policies of the Trump administration.
“Tom is someone that I can trust, someone who I know has a heart of service, and someone whole I know can step up in this incredibly dangerous and tumultuous time in America,” Kim said. “We need to make sure that we have people who know what they’re getting themselves into, know how to be able to handle this. Tom Malinowski knows the House of Representatives, he knows Congress, he knows New Jersey, he knows how to be able to stand up against Donald Trump.”
Malinowski represented New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District before losing his seat to Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ) after the state redistricted. His former district includes areas that moved into the 11th district. Malinowski currently does not reside in the 11th district, but works there and says he will move into the 11th district before the primary, which does not yet have a date set.
Kim and Murphy’s split endorsements are largely expected, as Kim ran against Murphy’s wife, first lady Tammy Murphy, and the state’s Democratic machine in the 2024 Senate race.
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Other prominent Democratic candidates include Cammie Croft, a staffer in former President Barack Obama’s White House and mom of three; Passaic County Commissioner John Bartlett; and Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way (D-NJ), soon, according to multiple reports.
Only one Republican, Joe Hathaway, the mayor of Randolph Township, has filed to run to replace Sherrill.