Sherrill wins Hunterdon County Democratic convention

Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) won the first-in-the-state Hunterdon County Democratic Convention on Sunday, defeating Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, 89-68, in a second-ballot runoff.

Sherrill led Baraka, 81-65, on the first ballot. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Tenafly) finished third with 13 votes, followed by New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller (11), and former Senate President Steve Sweeney (7). Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop did not participate in the vote.

Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot, touted her prior public service, saying she’s given more oaths to the country than she can remember. The congresswoman said state leaders need to both defend against encroachments of President Donald Trump as well as proactively invest in New Jersey, especially its housing and education systems. 

“We need to demand better because democracy isn’t just about voting rights,” she told the crowd. “Democracy is about a fair shot.”

For the first time in several decades, a win at county conventions no longer guarantees an advantageous ballot slot. But Sherrill can now use the official Hunterdon Democratic slogan on the ballot in addition to the potentially valuable endorsement.

Hunterdon County Democratic Chair Tom Malinowski, who called the county the “Iowa of New Jersey,” said the results showed grassroots strength for Sherrill.

“I think it’s a significant measure of Congresswoman Sherrill’s strength in this race that she was able to pull this off,” he told reporters.

Malinowski, a former congressman, also said he wasn’t surprised by Baraka’s strong showing.

“I’m not surprised that those were the top two, by the way,” he said. “Because both of them, in their own way, appeal to the idealism of Democratic voters, appeal to the spirit that says we have to stand up to fight and defend our values.”

Baraka, perhaps the most progressive candidate in the race, said he was excited about his second-place finish. Baraka’s strong finish comes a week after an effective debate performance. Sunday’s convention, the first true test of strength for the candidates, proved Baraka can play strongly outside Essex County—the results are especially notable in a county like Hunterdon, which is 91% white.

“It proves that we can get progressive votes in counties outside of Essex,” he told reporters. “I think we did a good job in here, the great bunch of people in Hunterdon County, and we’re going to continue to campaign with them.”

Fulop, who declared in December he would not compete in county conventions, was present for the convention nonetheless. The Jersey City mayor handed out letters explaining his decision to skip the competitions.

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