Mikie Sherrill Makes History as New Jersey's Second Female Governor
In a historic victory, Mikie Sherrill has become the second woman to hold office as governor in New Jersey's history. Defeating Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli, Sherrill secured her party's third consecutive term in office, a feat not achieved since 1961.
Sherrill, who will succeed outgoing Governor Phil Murphy on January 1st, has expressed gratitude and appreciation for the support of her constituents, saying, "I know you, New Jersey, and I love you. I've fought for you, spoken with thousands of you over this last year, and know your struggles, hopes, and dreams." The crowd of supporters cheered as she accepted their applause.
This milestone marks a significant moment in the state's history, with only one other woman having held the position before Sherrill. Her achievement is particularly noteworthy given that Republican Christine Todd Whitman served from 1994 to 2001 as New Jersey's first female governor.
Voter turnout surged in this year's election, with over 3.1 million New Jersey voters casting ballots - a significant increase from the 2021 gubernatorial race. Early voters turned in more than 600,000 ballots, tripling the number from the previous election. The strong voter turnout is seen as a testament to Sherrill's popularity and connection with her constituents.
Despite Ciattarelli's concession speech, where he expressed his support for Sherrill and acknowledged that "the fight doesn't end, we fight for another day," many of his supporters were disappointed by the outcome. For Ciattarelli, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump twice during the campaign, this marks a significant setback.
The margin of victory saw Sherrill winning 56% of the vote, further solidifying her lead in the polls. Her party's dominance has raised questions about whether this trend will continue in future elections.
Sherrill's achievement cements her place as one of New Jersey's most influential politicians, and she is set to take office on January 1st with a strong mandate to tackle the state's pressing issues.
In a historic victory, Mikie Sherrill has become the second woman to hold office as governor in New Jersey's history. Defeating Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli, Sherrill secured her party's third consecutive term in office, a feat not achieved since 1961.
Sherrill, who will succeed outgoing Governor Phil Murphy on January 1st, has expressed gratitude and appreciation for the support of her constituents, saying, "I know you, New Jersey, and I love you. I've fought for you, spoken with thousands of you over this last year, and know your struggles, hopes, and dreams." The crowd of supporters cheered as she accepted their applause.
This milestone marks a significant moment in the state's history, with only one other woman having held the position before Sherrill. Her achievement is particularly noteworthy given that Republican Christine Todd Whitman served from 1994 to 2001 as New Jersey's first female governor.
Voter turnout surged in this year's election, with over 3.1 million New Jersey voters casting ballots - a significant increase from the 2021 gubernatorial race. Early voters turned in more than 600,000 ballots, tripling the number from the previous election. The strong voter turnout is seen as a testament to Sherrill's popularity and connection with her constituents.
Despite Ciattarelli's concession speech, where he expressed his support for Sherrill and acknowledged that "the fight doesn't end, we fight for another day," many of his supporters were disappointed by the outcome. For Ciattarelli, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump twice during the campaign, this marks a significant setback.
The margin of victory saw Sherrill winning 56% of the vote, further solidifying her lead in the polls. Her party's dominance has raised questions about whether this trend will continue in future elections.
Sherrill's achievement cements her place as one of New Jersey's most influential politicians, and she is set to take office on January 1st with a strong mandate to tackle the state's pressing issues.