DeGroot Challenges Sherrill To Debates In NJ-11 Congress Race

NEW JERSEY — U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill and her Republican challenger Paul DeGroot will face off for a Congressional seat in November. And as the race heats up, DeGroot is calling for a series of debates throughout the 11th District, which includes parts of Essex, Morris and Passaic counties.

Earlier this week, DeGroot’s campaign said the former Passaic County prosecutor is calling for a minimum of one debate between Sherrill and himself in each county in the 11th District, beginning in September.

DeGroot won the Republican Party primary election in June. Read More: NJ 11th Congressional District Primary: Paul DeGroot Wins, AP Says

Sherrill, a former federal prosecutor and U.S. Navy pilot, was first elected in 2018, flipping the district blue after longtime GOP power player Rodney Frelinghuysen retired before the end of that election cycle.

Sherrill's campaign manager, Jackie Burns, gave Patch the following reply when asked about DeGroot's challenge:

"We’re currently in contact with various news outlets and non-partisan organizations to help bring debates to the people of the 11th District and can only hope Paul DeGroot will choose to participate, given DeGroot refused to appear at any Republican primary debates and remains silent on pressing issues important to New Jerseyans. Rep. Sherrill constantly communicates with her constituents, no matter what political party they identify with, and will continue to do so."

'VOTERS DESERVE TO HEAR WHERE WE STAND'

The Democratic and Republican candidates haven’t been pulling punches as the race to November speeds up.

“Mikie isn’t just some fun-loving liberal with a big heart who is generous with other people’s money; she is the Biden/Pelosi ever-faithful vote in Congress,” DeGroot said last month, also accusing Sherrill of “backing failed pandemic policies that put people’s lives at risk.”

In his debate challenge, DeGroot also accused Sherrill of “supporting a radical government agenda that wants to defund the police and is bringing economic ruin to communities and families.”

“Congresswoman Sherrill never met a spending bill she didn’t like,” DeGroot said. “Voters deserve to hear where we stand on the issues.”

• See related article: Rep. Sherrill Of NJ Votes To Boost Military Spending For 2023

DeGroot has previously criticized Sherrill’s vote on the America Competes Act, claiming that “America will not stay atop the global economic ladder if Rep. Sherrill and President Biden continue their war on necessary fossil fuels.”

“Rep. Sherrill wants the American people to overlook the fact that she supported President Biden's veto of the Keystone pipeline that cost thousands of Americans their well-paying jobs and reduced oil flow from Canada to the U.S.,” DeGroot said. “That was a big win for Russia and China.”

Learn more about his political platform here.

‘UNITY OVER DIVISION’

Sherrill’s campaign has also blasted her GOP opponents this election cycle, including DeGroot.

After DeGroot’s primary election victory, Burns said the Republican showing as a whole was “weak and underwhelming,” and added that voters in Essex, Morris and Passaic counties will “reject this brand of extremism” in November.

“Voters were faced with candidates radically out of step with what New Jerseyans want: a leader who chooses unity over division, pointing the way forward over pointing fingers, and is focused on bringing down costs, standing up for our kids and gun safety, and defending women's rights,” Burns said.

• See related article: Mikie Sherrill Ready To Take On 'Extremist' GOP Challengers In NJ-11

Sherrill’s campaign also accused DeGroot of lining up with the Republican Party’s “anti-woman” and “anti-gun safety” agendas after the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent controversial rulings on abortion and gun rights.

“Paul DeGroot stands in lockstep with his party’s anti-woman agenda that has pledged to implement a national abortion ban,” Burns charged. “He stands with his party’s anti-gun safety agenda to protect children from gun violence. These decisions represent a fundamental attack on every American’s freedom and Paul DeGroot is another member of his party pushing this agenda.”

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee also bashed DeGroot following the Supreme Court abortion ruling.

“Women in America have just suffered a fundamental attack on their freedom and Paul DeGroot doesn’t seem to give a damn,” DCCC spokesperson James Singer said. “He’s more concerned about aligning with MAGA Republicans who want to implement a national abortion ban than standing up for the rights of New Jersey women.”

Learn more about Sherrill’s political platform here.

• See related article: Court's Abortion Ruling Stirs Fierce Controversy In Essex County
• See related article: NJ Officials Expect Surge In Requests For Concealed Carry Permits After SCOTUS Ruling

The 11th District, which recently saw some shifts due to redistricting, includes the following municipalities:

Essex – Belleville, Bloomfield, Cedar Grove, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Montclair (part), North Caldwell, Nutley, Roseland, South Orange, West Caldwell

Morris – Boonton, Boonton Township, Butler, Chatham, Chatham Township, Denville, Dover, East Hanover, Florham Park, Hanover, Harding, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Madison, Mendham Twp (part), Montville, Morris Plains, Morris Township, Morristown Town, Mountain Lakes, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Pequannock, Randolph, Riverdale, Rockaway, Rockaway Township, Victory Gardens

Passaic – Little Falls, Totowa, Wayne (part), Woodland Park

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