Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka today praised Mikie Sherrill’s decision to hold her inauguration as the 57th Governor of New Jersey from the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.
“It is such an honor that Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill has chosen to be sworn into office in her home county of Essex,” said DiVincenzo. “It’s exciting that this momentous occasion will be taking place here. NJPAC is a state-of-the-art entertainment mecca and destination, and it will be an excellent opportunity to display all that Newark and Essex have to offer.”
Baraka said that Newark, the state’s largest city, “is an appropriate setting for such a momentous occasion, bringing to bear its history of immigration, diversity, and shared democratic values.”
“As the crowning jewel of our downtown district, NJPAC always shines bright – but on January 20, it will showcase the city’s radiance for all the world to see,” Baraka stated. “Newark is proud and grateful today, and looks forward to enjoying the benefits of Mikie Sherrill’s governance with all our neighbors in the Garden State.”
Lt. Gov.-elect Dale Caldwell, who will also take office on January 20, worked as the founding executive director of the Newark Alliance early in his career.
“I’m always excited to come back. I will also be forever grateful to the faith community in Newark that helped elect the first pastor to the office of Lt. Governor,” he said. “It’s an honor to come back to Newark to take my oath and start delivering for New Jersey,”
One of Sherrill’s earliest supporters, DiVincenzo, is the longest-serving county executive in Essex history. He is expected to seek re-election to a seventh term next year. Baraka, who finished second in the June Democratic gubernatorial primary in a six-candidate field, is likely to run for a fourth term as mayor in 2026.
“I couldn’t be more honored to be sworn in as your next governor and begin my administration in the Gateway City – and as governor, I will continue showing up for Newark, Trenton, and all of New Jersey’s communities,” said Sherrill.