In a significant boost for Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) as she eyes the governor’s office, seventeen Democratic leaders from Sussex County have endorsed her candidacy, lauding her as “an accomplished leader who exemplifies the values of service, advocacy, and progress.”
The group of endorsers includes prominent local figures such as Sparta Mayor Neill Clark, Democratic State Committee members Anthony Riccardi and Michele Van Allen, and Stanhope Councilman Riccardi. Their support signals an effort to rally Democratic strength in Sussex County, a Republican stronghold where Democrats haven’t won a countywide race since 1999. With just 26,829 registered Democrats in the county—slightly more than Cherry Hill—this endorsement underscores Sherrill’s efforts to broaden her appeal across the state.
“Her leadership is precisely what Sussex County – and our state as a whole – needs to navigate the challenges ahead,” the supporters said in a joint statement, emphasizing her record on protecting reproductive rights, addressing affordability, expanding healthcare access, and ensuring economic stability.
Sherrill, a Navy veteran and former federal prosecutor, represented four Sussex County municipalities during her first two terms in Congress before redistricting shifted her district’s boundaries. Her gubernatorial campaign has already received endorsements from Democratic municipal chairs in seven Sussex County towns, including Laura Riccardi (Stanhope), Susan Jones (Hopatcong), Allison Powers (Andover), Carl Contino (Vernon), Sally Goodson (Hardyston), Damaris Lira (Sussex Borough), and Caroline Yodice (Sandyston).
Notably, five of these towns are currently represented in Congress by another gubernatorial candidate, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Tenafly), suggesting that Sherrill is gaining traction even in areas tied to her potential rival.
Additional endorsements come from a range of local leaders, including Sparta Councilman and former Mayor Daniel Chiarello, Sparta Deputy Mayor Dean Blumetti, Heather Scott-Matson of Sparta Progressives, and former county commissioner candidates Jason Boehm, Kristy Lavin, and Howie Zatkowski.
Sussex County’s endorsement of Sherrill adds momentum to her campaign, bolstering her narrative as a leader capable of bridging partisan divides in New Jersey. While Republicans dominate the region, the support from local Democrats could strengthen her position in the primary race and showcase her ability to unify a diverse coalition statewide.
