The start of Mikie Sherrill’s gubernatorial campaign made quite clear what she thinks her greatest asset is:
Her career in the U.S. Navy.
In her Monday morning announcement, Sherrill spoke about graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy and being a “former Navy helicopter aircraft commander.”
The two-minute or so announcement did not mention her current job – representing the 11th District in Congress, although her service in the House was mentioned in the press release accompanying the video.
There is some logic here – it was Sherrill’s Navy background that clearly helped her win what had been a traditional Republican district back in 2018.
As the release points out, “she drove an entrenched Republican incumbent out of the race.” That was Rodney P. Frelinghuysen.
Military service is a great asset for any candidate.
However, one does need more than that.
Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, another Democratic gubernatorial candidate, is a military veteran as well.
Sherrill’s announcement came three days after another House member, Josh Gottheimer, unveiled his plans to run.
Gottheimer did so in a crowded diner with supporters cheering him on; Sherrill opted to release a video, although she does have a number of public events on tap for Tuesday.
Gotthemer talked about “affordability” and boldly said that as governor, he would reduce both income and property taxes.
Sherrill also spoke about making New Jersey more affordable, but a lot of her introductory video was about the state and its history.
She mentioned the famous sign in the state capital that says, “Trenton Makes, The World Takes,” and noted that New Jersey was the place where Thomas Edison invented the light bulb.
Near the end of her spot, Sherrill says:
“And I’ve met so many people who believe as deeply as I do in the promise of our state. And I’m asking you to join us.
So New Jersey, let’s build something.”
Campaign announcements are not exactly the place for detailed policy pronouncements, but you hope they will come soon.
It is worth pointing out that Fulop, who has been in the race the longest, has put forth detailed policy papers on such issues as transportation, housing, public safety and education. They are on his website.
Many of New Jersey’s problems are long-standing and have remained the same for decades – regardless of whether the governor is a Republican or a Democrat.
At the top of the list is the sanctity of home rule, which leads to high property taxes, a public school system that is far too segregated and at times, overdevelopment.
It would be nice to see all gubernatorial candidates take that on.
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In the upcoming governor’s race in New Jersey, political insiders are closely watching candidate John Sherrill and identifying his best strength as a key factor in his campaign. According to Insider NJ, Sherrill’s best strength lies in his ability to connect with voters on a personal level and build strong relationships within the community.
One of the reasons why Sherrill is seen as a strong contender in the race is his background as a small business owner. He has a deep understanding of the challenges facing local businesses and has a proven track record of creating jobs and stimulating economic growth in his community. This experience resonates with voters who are looking for a candidate who can deliver real results and improve their quality of life.
Additionally, Sherrill’s commitment to transparency and accountability in government has earned him praise from political insiders. He has a reputation for being honest and straightforward with constituents, which is a refreshing change from the typical political rhetoric that often dominates campaigns. This authenticity has helped him build trust with voters and establish himself as a credible candidate for governor.
Furthermore, Sherrill’s focus on education and healthcare as key issues in his campaign has also been noted as a strength by Insider NJ. He has proposed innovative solutions to improve access to quality education and healthcare services for all residents of New Jersey, which has resonated with voters who are concerned about these critical issues.
Overall, John Sherrill’s ability to connect with voters, his commitment to transparency and accountability, and his focus on important issues like education and healthcare make him a strong contender in the governor’s race. As the campaign heats up, political insiders will be closely watching Sherrill and his campaign strategy to see if he can maintain his momentum and emerge as a frontrunner in the race.
