Booker, Kim, Murphy endorse Sherrill for governor following primary victory

Following Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair)’s convincing victory in the Democratic primary for governor last night, Gov. Phil Murphy and Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim – all of whom remained neutral in the six-way primary contest – are now officially joining Team Sherrill.

“We congratulate Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill for winning New Jersey’s primary election and stand with her to win the governorship in November at this critical moment for our state and nation,” Booker and Kim said in a joint statement this morning. “With Trump raising costs for families through reckless tariffs and Medicaid cuts for millions and abusing power against our Constitution, we need a strong leader who can be a steady hand and a fierce champion for New Jerseyans.”

“Mikie has served our country and the people of New Jersey with honor and courage since her time at the Naval Academy and then nearly 10 years in the military,” they continued. “In Congress, we have seen a fighter who serves New Jersey with tenacity, is willing to take on the tough fights, and has a proven record of forming broad coalitions with people across the political spectrum. We are proud to endorse Mikie Sherrill for Governor and will work united to win in November.”

Murphy, meanwhile, personally defeated GOP nominee Jack Ciattarelli in 2021, and he said he’s ready to make sure Ciattarelli loses once again this year.

“Mikie earned the trust and support of voters because they know she is a fighter – from her time serving as a U.S. Navy pilot to her role flipping a longtime Republican congressional district,” Murphy said in a social media post last night. “As Governor, she will fight to lower costs, protect our freedoms, and build an economy that works for every family. It’s now time for Democrats to unite behind her and defeat President Trump’s hand-picked Republican nominee, Jack Ciattarelli.”

It’s not a surprise, of course, that three Democratic officeholders would endorse another Democrat for governor. It does, however, represent the inevitable but important process of shoring up support behind the party’s nominee – something both parties will need to do quickly this year after wading through expensive and often divisive primaries.