Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) is making it clear that she won’t challenge Bob Menendez, something some of her friends have been saying all week.
“I’m not planning to run for the U.S. Senate,” Sherrill told the New Jersey Globe on Friday.
Her statement about next year’s Senate race will only fuel speculation that she plans to seek the Democratic nomination for governor in 2025, although the North Jersey congresswoman has not publicly said she is running. Sherrill is widely expected to seek a fourth term in Congress in 2024, pushing a formal announcement in the gubernatorial race off until at least November of next year.
A key Sherrill supporter, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, Jr., today praised First Lady Tammy Murphy, saying she’d be a “great candidate” if she decides to run for U.S. Senate.
Menendez was indicted one week ago on federal bribery charges. He has rebuffed calls for his resignation and insists he’ll seek re-election next year.
One day after federal prosecutors in New York unsealed the indictment against Menendez, Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown) announced that he would seek the U.S. Senate seat.
Two other New Jersey congressmen, Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-Long Branch) and Donald Norcross (D-Camden), have not ruled out running.