Sherrill Takes it on the Road to Red Bank
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.
Her resume is impressive. Perfect for a Washington DC Insider. The problem is that New Jersey does not need a Beltway person with national security bonafide’s for Governor . It needs a ” nuts and bolts” person who knows state budget issues and knows how to get things done in Trenton in a fiscally responsible manner. Mikie Sherrill is not that person. She might learn how to deal with real budget issues eventually but the State can’t afford to have an fiscal apprentice on the job. The State is heading towards a fiscal cliff. The STAYNJ program must be funded for seniors and property taxes must be addressed. Sherrill is a Washington Politician who knows only the ” Washington Way” which never considers fiscal responsibility.
Resumes are pretty documents but they do not win elections. The Democratic Party might be walking into the ” shiny object ” resume trap that will put a Republican in the State House.
Sherrill is good in Washington …. She should stay there !
Didn’t she just campaign to be reelected for Congress and was recently reelected and took an oath to serve?! So much for commitment!
IN ADDITION …What did Sherrill and Gottheimer actually DO in Washington, that helped New Jersey, over the last couple of years? Data shows that only 3% of proposed legislation in Congress was actually enacted. These two NJ representatives were part of that ineptitude. Now they want to be Governor? These two are professional ” talkers” and NJ does not need more talkers! The next Governor must be a ” Doer” ! Beltway trained politicians must be kept far away from Trenton.
The Sherrill /Gottheimer ” way” is to talk, talk, talk, get nothing done and then move on to another issue to talk,talk,talk about. That is just how Washington works.
Fiscal responsibility will be the issue that elects the next Governor. The last thing that either Sherrill or Gottheimer has ever had to worry about as Washington DC politicians is fiscal responsibility. Neither has ever had to worry about balancing a budget. Beltway politicians only know how to spend!
Beware these fancy talkers ! In Washington DC talking ,not getting results, marks success. Voters must remember that talk is cheap. We must keep the “DC Talkers” out of Trenton !
Red Bank is a terrific place to ask Mikie Sherrill, her position on the Latino Action Network, Et al v.. State of New Jersey lawsuit that challenges the state’s public school segregation. The NAACP New Jersey State Conference, the Urban League of Essex County, the United Methodist Church of New Jersey and the Education Law Center along with nine children are part of the coalition. This lawsuit was started in 2018.
The case is in mediation trying to come up with remedies. A question for Mikie Sherrill: As a former top-gun, what policies would you suggest to remedy this lingering issue?
The next governor has the historic opportunity to Make New Jersey Beaches Free. See petition at Makenjbeachesfree.org.
Final thought… We must keep Washington people out of Trenton. People like Sherrill only make things worse.