RED BANK – Mikie Sherrill had just moved through a crowd of at least 100 people in a local restaurant, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries.

This was Thursday night in Monmouth County – 50 miles or so from her north Jersey congressional district – but Sherrill still seemed to have a lot of supporters at her “meet and greet,” including a gent sporting a McGovern-Shriver campaign button. You had to love the historical touch.

Now, the congresswoman and gubernatorial candidate was onstage, answering questions.

And one of them was a good one. Just how are you – someone who has not, for instance, been a mayor – going to move into an executive position and lead?

Sherrill, at first, spoke of her Navy background and how leading a mission means leading people from all walks of life – and in all parts of the globe. Her military experience is a big part of her campaign.

But then she got around to practical politics.

Referring to the other five individuals seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, Sherrill said:

“I am the only person who asked for President Biden to step down so we could have new leadership.”

She meant as the Democratic presidential candidate in 2024. Sherrill said Biden should not run about 10 days before the president withdrew from the race. “There were too many people who didn’t want to take a stand,” she said. Sherrill’s point was unmistakable. She has the guts to make tough political decisions.

She did not mention it, but when she first ran for Congress in 2018, Sherrill also caused a stir in Democratic circles by saying she would not support another term for Speaker Nancy Pelosi. And Sherrill did not.

The crowd liked her response, although most were probably predisposed to her in the first place.

Looking back – and also looking ahead – Sherrill said it’s critical for all candidates to be mindful of the economy. That certainly sounds elementary.

Then again, it is easy to see now that Democrats last fall were not laser-focused on economic issues. The overall numbers – low unemployment, a high stock market and a lessening of inflation – sounded good, but too many people were not feeling it

Her goal, she said, is to focus on “centrist” issues, which she described as those “central” to people’s lives. Those include such things as housing and lower grocery prices.

Keep in mind that in the wake of the overturning of Roe in 2022, Dems have strongly focused on abortion rights. That strategy worked well in the 2022 midterms and also in New Jersey in 2023 when Democrats picked up six seats in the state Legislature.

Things were different in 2024.

Sherrill acknowledged that if you try talking to someone struggling financially about abortion rights:

“They’d probably be not that impressed.”

Interestingly, back during the 2022 campaign, I recall seeing at least one sign at Democratic events to the effect that “Inflation comes and goes, but rights lost are lost forever.”

That could be yesterday’s news.