Sherrill primary opponent drops out

Mark Washburne has dropped his Democratic primary challenge to Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) in New Jersey’s 11th district.

The Morris County College professor said his entered the race last September, before Sherrill announced her intention to support the impeachment of President Donald Trump.

“It was more of a tactic to see if I could move her to that position,” Washburne said.

That leaves Sherill without a primary opponent less than a week before the deadline to file nominating petitions for the June 2 New Jersey primary.

Two other freshman House members who flipped Republican congressional seats in 2018, Reps. Tom Malinowski (D-Ringoes) and Andy Kim (D-Marlton), also have no primary opposition.

“Sherrill, Malinowski and Kim are doing excellent jobs and New Jersey Democrats know that,” said Michael Soliman, a Democratic strategist.

Washburne ran for the open 11th district congressional seat last year.  Sherrill beat self-funder Tamara Harris by a 77%-15% margin, with Washburne finishing third in a five candidate field with 3% of the vote.

On the same day, Washburne won the Democratic nomination for mayor of Mendham Borough with 74 write-in votes.

He lost the general election to Christine Serrano Glassner, the wife of a top campaign aide to Trump, by a 60%-40% margin.