Huge group of Mercer Democrats endorse Sherrill for Governor

Most of the Democratic leaders in Mercer County, including Democratic County Chair Janice Mironov, County Executive Dan Benson, and Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin, today endorsed Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) for governor.

Mercer County has 120,393 registered Democrats, about 4.7% of the total registered Democrats statewide – the 10th highest in the state.

Joining Mironov and Benson are State Sen. Linda Greenstein (D-Plainsboro), Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli (D-Hopewell), Assemblywoman Tennille McCoy (D-Hamilton), Mercer County Sheriff Jack Kemler, Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami-Covello, and three of the nine Mercer County Commissioners: Cathleen Lewis, Kristin McLaughlin, and Lucylle Walter.

In addition to Martin and Mironov, the mayor of East Windsor, five other mayors are backing Sherrill: Susan Bluth, Hightstown; Ryan Kennedy, Hopewell Borough; Courtney Peters-Manning, Hopewell Township; Patricia Farmer, Lawrence; and Mark Freda, Princeton.

“Congresswoman Sherrill uniquely understands the needs of everyday working families, having balanced roles as a veteran, a working mother, and a dedicated public advocate/servant.  Her campaign reflects how she will govern, responsive and inclusive,” the Mercer Democrats said in a joint statement.  “As Governor, Mikie Sherrill will make decisions that reflect the values of our Mercer County Democratic Party, whether it’s advocating for better family policies, promoting gun safety, or lifting up small businesses, we know she will do what’s right.”

Also on board are Democratic municipal Chairs: Deputy Mayor David Russell, East Windsor; Carl Benedetti, Jr., Ewing; Bob Dorio, Hamilton; Matt Morgan, Hightstown; Sophie Purgavie, Hopewell Township; Councilwoman Samara McAuliffe, Hopewell Borough; Elissa Grodd-Schrager, Lawrence, and Felicia Spitz, Princeton.  Mercer County Democratic Vice Chair Jennifer Keyes-Maloney, a Ewing councilwoman, has joined in backing Sherrill.

Sherrill supporters in Mercer also include local governing body members: Denise Daniels, Anthony Katawick, Marc Lippman, and John Zoller, East Windsor; Sarah Steward and David Schroth, Ewing; Anthony Carabelli, Jr., Rick Tighe, Pat Papero, and Nancy Phillips, Hamilton; Joshua Jackson,  Joseph Cicalese, Cristina Fowler, Todd Franz, and Fred Montferrat, Hightstown; Kristin Weaver, Hopewell Borough; Uma Purandare, David Chait, Kevin Kuchinski, and Michael Ruger, Hopewell Township; Olympia I’liou Perry, Christopher Bobbitt, and John Ryan, Lawrence;  David Cohen and Michelle Pirone Lambros, Princeton; Hal English, Robbinsville and Jasi Edwards, Trenton.

Some high-profile Mercer Democrats are with other candidates: Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing) has endorsed Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, and Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora is supporting Steve Fulop, the mayor of Jersey City.