Sherrill Marches In Montclair, Webber Visits Livingston School

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A pair of Essex County towns in the state’s 11th Congressional District got visits from the front-running candidates in the 2018 General Election for the U.S. House of Representatives last weekend.

Democratic nominee Mikie Sherrill, a former federal prosecutor and Navy helicopter pilot, made an appearance at Garden State Equality's 9th annual Equality Walk in Montclair on Sunday.

“Humbled to be a part of Garden State Equality's 9th annual Equality Walk in Montclair today,” Sherrill wrote. “Our country has come so far in the past few decades, and that’s thanks to the courage and resilience of the LGBT+ community. I’m proud to stand with you today, and every day.” (Story continues below photo)

Meanwhile, Sherrill’s main opponent, Republican nominee and state assemblyman Jay Webber, paid a visit to the Livingston Huaxia Chinese School on Saturday.

“Yesterday’s stop at the Livingston Huaxia Chinese School was great,” Webber tweeted. “Thank you for the conversation and belief in a better #NJ11 for everyone.”

NJ-11 has long been considered a solidly Republican district, and this is the first time in decades that there is a competitive race. Current-Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen, the chair of the House Committee on Appropriations, has held the seat since 1995; the seat was last held by a Democrat in the mid 1980s.

Both Webber and Sherrill have earned endorsements from the highest ranks of their parties. Former Vice President Joe Biden has campaigned on Sherrill's behalf, while current Vice President Mike Pence has stumped for Webber. Webber has also garnered support from President Donald Trump via an endorsement Tweet.

Essex County towns in the 11th District include: Bloomfield (split with 10th), Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Livingston, Montclair (split with 10th), North Caldwell, Nutley, Roseland, Verona, West Caldwell, West Orange (split with 10th).

• See related article: WATCH: NJ-11 Candidates Sherrill, Webber Debate
• See related article: 5 Questions With Your 11th District Candidates, Webber & Sherrill
• See related article: President Trump Tweets Support Of Webber In NJ-11
• See related article: Joe Biden Endorses Mikie Sherrill's Bid For US Congress

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Images via the campaigns

With previous reporting by Katie Kausch, Patch staff