Sherrill Leads in New Jersey Gubernatorial Primary Endorsements
As New Jersey gears up for the June 10 gubernatorial primary, Rep. Mikie Sherrill is clearly ahead in a crucial metric: county Democratic endorsements. Leading the charge, Sherrill has secured support from 10 of the state’s 21 county Democratic organizations, including three of the four largest. This strong backing accounts for nearly 60% of all registered Democrats in New Jersey, bolstering her position significantly.
In contrast, only Rep. Josh Gottheimer and former state Senate President Steve Sweeney have garnered county endorsements among the remaining candidates. Sherrill’s victories span key regions, including Morris County—home to her 11th Congressional District—and adjacent areas like Passaic and Essex. However, Sweeney has claimed dominance in South Jersey, where local organizations typically function as a bloc.
Historically, endorsements have been pivotal in Democratic primaries as they offered candidates a preferred ballot position, ensuring visibility and often a decisive edge. But recent changes, including a new law signed by Governor Phil Murphy, have eliminated the traditional endorsement column. Now, candidates will be listed by office sought, potentially diminishing the influence of county endorsements.
Despite the changes, Sherrill has capitalized on building relationships with party insiders since her election in 2018. Although she won’t benefit from the conventional endorsement display, county organizations planning to rally behind her still hold significance in a state where machine politics are prevalent. Her ability to promote the slogans of supporting organizations alongside her name remains a powerful tool.
While other candidates like Gottheimer and Sweeney have targeted specific counties, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop has opted out of the endorsement chase altogether, aiming to leverage public dissatisfaction with traditional political machinery. With Sherrill’s recent survey results showing her pulling ahead, her aggressive campaigning strategy and active endorsement cultivation are displaying positive outcomes as the primary date approaches.
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