Sherrill Nails Down Democratic Nod For Governor In Essex County

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill has nailed down the Democratic nomination for governor in Essex County, edging out two other candidates with local ties: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and former Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller.

The Essex County Democratic Committee reported that Sherrill – who represents the state’s 11th congressional district – earned 438 votes during their annual convention last weekend.

Baraka earned 236 votes, Spiller got 24 votes and former New Jersey State Senate President Stephen Sweeney got seven votes.

Two other gubernatorial candidates didn’t compete in the Essex County Democratic Committee's convention: U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer and Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop.

Sherrill has also captured the 2025 Democratic Party nomination for governor in Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Sussex and Union and counties. She also was the top vote-getter in Ocean County, but didn’t get the majority needed to earn a nomination.

Sweeney has seen victories in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties. Gottheimer has earned endorsements in Bergen and Warren counties. Meanwhile, Baraka – who has criticized the county committee endorsement process – has earned support from U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman and officials in Camden and Teaneck.

On the flip side of the political aisle, Republican candidates running for governor in 2025 include Roger Bacon, Justin Barbera, Jon Bramnick, Monica Brinson, Robert Canfield, Jack Ciattarelli, Edward Durr, James Fazzone, Hans Herberg, Mario Kranjac and Bill Spadea.

Third-party and independent candidates include Stephen Zielinski (Green Party), Gerardo Cedrone (independent), Karen Zaletel (independent).

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NJ ASSEMBLY

The Essex County Democratic Committee also held a vote to endorse a candidate for the 28th Legislative district, which includes Irvington, Maplewood, Newark and South Orange (also Hillside in Union County).

The party nomination in Essex County went to Chigozie Onyema, who edged out incumbents Cleopatra Tucker (120 votes) and Garnet Hall (64 votes).

The 2025 primary election in New Jersey will take place on June 10. Learn more about voting in the Garden State here.

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