A just released Emerson poll shows Mikie Sherrill garnering support from 10 percent of voters.
That may not sound like much, but it puts her in the lead in the six-person race for this year’s Democratic gubernatorial nomination. As such, she’s now being attacked by another candidate.
Steve Fulop, the Jersey City mayor, announced Thursday that his campaign has filed a complaint with the state’s Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC).
He claims Sherrill is improperly using funds raised by her congressional campaign committee to support her gubernatorial run. A larger point is that those allegedly improper funds are then matched by public funding.
“New Jersey’s matching funds system is designed to give everyday residents a voice, not to be exploited by candidates working with political bosses behind the scenes,” Fulop said in a release. “We aren’t looking to score political points here with this action, but what Mikie Sherrill is doing is just plain wrong and residents deserve a fair election.”
The Sherrill campaign quickly fired back. It said:
“This is a fabricated charge from an obviously desperate and corrupt career politician with a long track record of steering city contracts to his campaign contributors. His attempt to reinvent himself as a reformer is as laughable as it is insulting to voters.”
Gee, the campaign is getting fun already.
More seriously, election lawyer Scott Salmon says on behalf of the Fulop campaign:
“New Jersey deserves a fair election in which all candidates abide by the same rules. When someone attempts to circumvent our state’s campaign finance laws it undermines public trust and threatens the integrity of our elections. Applying to gain taxpayer dollars from matching funds and then using your congressional account to offset campaign expenses is ethically wrong and something that ELEC has clearly stated is not permitted. We urge ELEC to hold Mikie Sherrill accountable.”
This is a technical issue, but a lot of the law revolves around technical issues.
In what is more of a political statement, the Fulop campaign brought up Eric Adams, the indicted New York City Mayor, to buttress its point about the alleged misuse of campaign money.
Just for the record, the poll puts Fulop at 4 percent.
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In a recent article published by Insider NJ, Mayor Steven Fulop of Jersey City took aim at leading candidate Mikie Sherrill in the upcoming election. Fulop, a prominent figure in New Jersey politics, criticized Sherrill for her lack of experience and questioned her ability to effectively represent the interests of the state.
Fulop’s comments come at a crucial time in the race, as Sherrill has emerged as a frontrunner in the Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District. Sherrill, a former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor, has garnered significant support from both voters and party leaders, positioning herself as a strong contender in the race.
However, Fulop’s criticism highlights the growing tension within the Democratic Party as candidates vie for the nomination. Fulop, who has been a vocal advocate for progressive policies and social justice initiatives, has raised concerns about Sherrill’s ability to effectively advocate for these issues.
In his remarks, Fulop emphasized the importance of electing candidates with a proven track record of fighting for the interests of their constituents. He pointed to his own record as mayor of Jersey City, highlighting his efforts to improve education, expand affordable housing, and promote economic development in the city.
Fulop’s comments have sparked debate among political observers and voters alike, with some questioning the motives behind his criticism of Sherrill. Some see Fulop’s remarks as an attempt to undermine Sherrill’s campaign and boost his own political standing within the party.
As the race heats up in the coming months, it will be interesting to see how Fulop’s comments impact the dynamics of the election. Will Sherrill be able to overcome this criticism and maintain her lead in the polls? Or will Fulop’s remarks sway voters in favor of other candidates in the race?
One thing is certain: with Fulop targeting Sherrill in this Insider NJ article, the race for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District is shaping up to be a contentious and closely watched contest. Voters will have to carefully consider the candidates’ records and positions on key issues as they decide who to support in the upcoming election.
