Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill, fresh off a resounding victory in New Jersey’s gubernatorial race earlier this month, has wasted no time making waves both within her party and beyond. On November 21, 2025, Sherrill officially endorsed eight incumbent Democrats from New Jersey’s congressional delegation who are seeking re-election in 2026—a move that signals both unity and momentum for Democrats in the state, according to multiple reports including InsiderNJ and POLITICO.
Sherrill’s endorsements went to a who’s who of New Jersey Democratic politics: Senator Cory Booker and Representatives LaMonica McIver (D-Newark), Nellie Pou (D-North Haledon), Rob Menendez (D-Jersey City), Frank Pallone (D-Long Branch), Josh Gottheimer (D-Tenafly), Herb Conaway (D-Delran), and Donald Norcross (D-Camden). Announcing her support, Sherrill stated, “Following a blowout victory in the gubernatorial election, it’s clear Democrats have momentum going into 2026, and I’m proud to endorse all of the Democratic members of our New Jersey delegation on the ballot next year.”
She went on to highlight her collaboration with the delegation on a range of priorities. “I’ve worked with each of them on different priorities to deliver for New Jersey, from lowering healthcare costs and investing in our infrastructure to supporting our defense installations,” she said in her statement, as reported by InsiderNJ. The governor-elect also took the opportunity to criticize the Trump administration, adding, “As Trump and Washington Republicans level unprecedented attacks on working New Jerseyans, it’s crucial that we work together to protect liberty and prosperity in New Jersey.”
This flurry of endorsements is more than just ceremonial. According to New Jersey Globe, only one of the eight—Frank Pallone—currently faces a Democratic primary challenge. While his opponents are not particularly high-profile, the potential for a competitive race remains. Rob Menendez, meanwhile, could see another heated intra-party battle after his costly and bitter 2024 contest. Nellie Pou’s seat is also in the spotlight; her 9th district was won by Trump, and Republicans are expected to target her. Still, Sherrill’s own strong showing in that district—she carried it by nearly 20 percentage points in the gubernatorial election—gives Democrats reason for optimism.
Josh Gottheimer, who represents a marginal seat, has not drawn significant Republican interest so far. Notably, Gottheimer and Sherrill were rivals in this year’s Democratic gubernatorial primary, a contest marked by pointed exchanges. Yet, Sherrill was quick to emphasize their shared goals, saying she’s been glad to work with Gottheimer on eliminating the SALT cap and describing him as a “fierce champion of making life more affordable for Jersey families.”
Sherrill’s endorsements, however, do not extend to every race on the horizon. She has not yet weighed in on the state’s two open-seat contests: her own 11th congressional district, which will hold a special election early next year, and the 12th district seat soon to be vacated by retiring Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing). Both races have already attracted crowded Democratic fields, as has the contest to challenge Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. in the swingy 7th district. While many in her former district would welcome her endorsement, Sherrill made her intentions clear shortly after her gubernatorial win. “I likely won’t be getting involved,” she said on November 5, 2025. “There are some great candidates in there.”
But Sherrill’s influence isn’t limited to party endorsements. She’s also grabbing headlines for her willingness to challenge the federal government in unprecedented ways. In a wide-ranging conversation on comedian Jon Stewart’s podcast, Sherrill floated the idea of New Jersey withholding federal tax dollars as a form of protest against President Donald Trump’s administration. The notion, which echoes a similar suggestion by California Governor Gavin Newsom earlier this year, underscores the tension between Democratic-led states and the federal government under Trump.
Sherrill didn’t mince words during the podcast. “If they’re not gonna run the programs, then what are we paying them for?” she asked Stewart. “It’s like, you know, you’re paying us for a service and they’re not delivering. So let’s stop paying for it.” She went on to call the idea a “great idea” and admitted she thinks about withholding federal tax dollars “all the time.”
It’s a bold proposal, but as POLITICO points out, the mechanics of such a move are murky at best. Sherrill’s transition team declined to elaborate on how this would actually work. The Rockefeller Institute has previously found that New Jersey regularly pays more to the federal government in taxes than it receives back in funding—a sore spot for many state officials. Still, as California’s Newsom learned when he floated a similar idea in June, the reality is complicated. Most federal taxes are paid directly by individuals and businesses, not by states themselves. Newsom later told POLITICO, “We’re assessing it, we have looked into it, and [the Department of] Finance is looking across the spectrum of options. But it’s limited, because most of that distribution and transfer comes from individual taxpayers.”
The debate over federal funding was not just theoretical during the recent gubernatorial campaign. Funding for the Gateway tunnel—a massive infrastructure project to build new train tunnels under the Hudson River—became a flashpoint after Trump threatened to “terminate” federal support for the project during a government shutdown. While the White House did not respond to requests for comment, the threat resonated with New Jersey voters and further fueled Democratic frustrations over the state’s fiscal relationship with Washington.
For Sherrill, the willingness to explore bold options seems to be part of a larger strategy to push back against what she sees as federal overreach and neglect. Her endorsements of Democratic incumbents reinforce a message of party unity and shared purpose, while her public musings about withholding federal tax payments signal a readiness to challenge the status quo. Whether these moves translate into actual policy changes—or remain rhetorical jabs—remains to be seen.
As the 2026 election cycle approaches, all eyes will be on how Sherrill leverages her new role. Will her endorsements help embattled Democrats hold onto their seats? Could her outspoken stance against the Trump administration galvanize the party base or provoke legal and political battles with Washington? One thing is certain: New Jersey’s new governor is wasting no time making her presence felt, and the state’s political landscape is poised for a turbulent, high-stakes year ahead.
