Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) is getting involved in a Democratic primary for mayor in Bloomfield, endorsing Jenny Mundell over the interim incumbent, Ted Gamble.
The two are battling for the unexpired term of Michael Venezia, who resigned in January to take his seat as an assemblyman.
“I have had the privilege of working alongside Councilwoman Mundell on numerous occasions and have witnessed her track record of initiatives that have directly impacted quality of life for Bloomfield residents,” Sherrill stated. “Jenny’s tireless commitment to addressing the needs of her community and her innovative approach to governance make her the ideal candidate, and the fact that she will become the first woman to serve as Mayor of Bloomfield makes this campaign even more historic and exciting.”
The race took a significant turn ten days ago when U.S. District Court Judge Zahid Quraishi issued a preliminary injunction that ended county organization lines and mandated office block voting in the June 4 Democratic primary. Mundell has the endorsement of the Bloomfield Democratic organization but lost the line’s ballot advantage that would have had her running with Joe Biden, Andy Kim, Sherrill, and county candidates.
In a ballot draw last week, Gamble received the first position in the two-candidate race using office block ballots.
In January, the local Democratic organization voted 41-16 to endorse Mundell to replace Venezia, who remains the municipal chairman. But Gamble was one of three names submitted to the council, who voted 4-2 to make him the new mayor over Mundell, a four-term councilwoman.
“I am so honored to receive Congresswoman Sherrill’s endorsement because she is a true inspiration to our entire community as a lifelong public servant who always stands up for us,” Mundell said. “Mikie Sherrill’s knowledge and understanding of effective leadership served her greatly throughout her time in the military and now as a member of Congress, and I know that she is someone I can always turn to for valuable insight and support.”