FLORHAM PARK – Buoyed by perceived Trump era missteps on the tax plan and leading a roomful of local Democratic elected officials who expressed delight in backing his preferred candidate, former Governor (and 27th District Senator) Dick Codey this morning affixed his imprimatur on the CD11 candidacy of former Navy helicopter pilot Mikie Sherrill.

Sherrill wants to upend U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11) and, sources say, will likely have a slew more of key endorsements in the days ahead. Today, she slapped at Frelinghuysen for backing the movement of a controversial tax bill to the floor of Congress.

Sensing real opportunity, Codey jumped ahead of the parade today with his own thumbs up of the Democrat, who’s looking to put on ice early the challenges in her party of counselor Tamara Harris and Passaic County Freeholder John Bartlett.

Codey recently welcomed a granddaughter into the world.

“At some point – 20 years from now – she’s going to say, ‘You really were with Mikie Sherrill before she was nobody?” Codey regaled the room. “Think of this opportunity. How many seats do we need to change the House?”

“24,” said Sherrill automatically.

“To be one of 24 – to change the direction of this country on behalf of the people of this great state,” said Codey. He landed a dig on Republican senate candidate Roy Moore.

“We’re not Alabama,” said the former governor. “We’re not going to support someone who hangs out at the mall looking for young girls.”

Attorney John Azzarella introduced Codey to Sherrill, and Codey said it took him about a half hour to realize her strength as a candidate.

“Now she is the presumptive favorite to win the primary and maybe to win the seat,” he said.

Sherrill took the microphone.

“Thinking about Governor Codey, I think there’s something about death that reminds us about the human condition.”

She suggested the governor’s tours of duty at the family funeral home gave him insights into life and compassion.

“As the longest serving state legislator, he has fought for New Jersey longer than some people in this room have been alive,” Sherrill added.

She delighted in the Codey and Assemblywoman Mila Jasey (D-27) endorsements, then slammed Frelinghuysen.

“We have a congressman who’s taken 23 million off of medical insurance, who’s now sent a vote to the floor that will be crippling for New Jersey,” Sherrill said.