In inaugural address, Sherrill commits to building opportunity

Gov. Mikie Sherrill, New Jersey’s 57th governor, took the oath of office on Tuesday and dedicated her governorship to “opening the door to opportunity.”

Her 30-minute address — interrupted only when she signed a pair of executive orders — hewed closely to the messaging of her campaign, focusing on her service, affordability in the state, and her opposition to President Donald Trump. Joined by Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell and 2,000 attendees in Newark’s Performing Arts Center, Sherrill set the agenda, returning repeatedly to opportunity.

“Let me tell you plainly what my administration stands for: lowering costs; taking care of our kids; making government accountable to the people,” she said. “As we get to work charting out success, I have listened to you, and I have heard you.” 

Sherrill first won a House seat in New Jersey’s 11th congressional district in 2018, during midterm backlash against President Donald Trump. Now, she assumes the governorship riding a similar wave. Her 14-point victory in November’s gubernatorial election surprised even many Democrats, and she made clear in her inaugural address that she considers resisting Trump a core responsibility. 

Two hundred fifty years after the Declaration of Independence, she quoted grievances from the document, using them to allude to Trump’s presidency.

“He has refused his assent to laws,” she said. “He has obstructed the administration of justice. He has made judges dependent on his will alone. He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies, without the consent of our legislatures.”

Sherrill said that, with her election, the people of New Jersey “recognize the parallels.” She accused Trump of “illegally usurping power” and extorting his power to enrich himself and his family.

“On November 4th, the people of New Jersey once again gave the nation a glimmer of something it hadn’t felt in months: hope. Yes, 250 years after the Declaration, 250 years after General Washington crossed the Delaware into the promised land, I am proud that once again, New Jersey is leading the way.”

Much of the campaign focused on the rising cost of living in New Jersey, particularly increasing energy rates.

“I hope, New Jersey, you remember me when you open your electric bill and it hasn’t gone up another 20 percent. I can promise you, it won’t be because I waste your money on a ballroom at Drumthwacket,” she said. “I am going to spend every minute trying to make New Jersey more affordable and open doors to opportunity across our state.”

The governor signed a pair of executive orders from the stage that declared a state of emergency over electricity costs; during the campaign, she promised to freeze utility rates during her first year as governor.

“First, I am issuing an Executive Order giving the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities the authority to pause new utility requests for additional rate increases, and I will freeze rate hikes to finally provide families with real relief on their energy bills,” Sherrill said. “Second, I am issuing an Executive Order directing the Board of Public Utilities to open solicitations for new solar and storage power generation, to modernize gas and nuclear generation, so we can lower utility costs over the long term.”

State Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner administered the oath to Sherrill and Caldwell. Caldwell, who will also serve as secretary of state, delivered a short address discussing his work as a pastor and his priorities.

“We step into leadership at a time of deep national division and growing anxiety. We have witnessed attacks on rights, freedoms, dignity, and truth. We have seen vulnerable communities targeted and democratic institutions threatened,” he said. “That is why I am deeply honored to serve not only as lieutenant governor but also as secretary of state with the immense responsibility for safeguarding our elections and protecting the right to vote.”

Sherrill was sworn in on William Paterson’s bound copy of the Constitution of New Jersey, the U.S. Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence, according to a spokesperson. Paterson, the eponym of the North Jersey city, was New Jersey’s second governor and a signer of the U.S. Constitution. Jason Hedberg, Sherrill’s husband, held the book.

Seven former governors — Phil Murphy, Chris Christie, John Corzine, Jim McGreevey, Donald DiFrancesco, Christine Todd Whitman, and Tom Kean — attended the inauguration. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger — who was born in New Jersey — and Delaware Governor Matt Meyer also attended, as did House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Upon Sherrill’s oath of office, the New Jersey National Guard conducted a 19-cannon salute and performed a Blackhawk helicopter flyover.

To close her address, Sherrill once again harkened back to the state’s founders, who chose “Liberty and Prosperity” as New Jersey’s motto.

“Today, I take up their work once again. Protecting liberty — ensuring that power is not placed in the hands of a few, but rather that the universal rights of all New Jerseyans are protected — and prosperity — through opening the door to opportunity,” she said. “That is my commitment to you as your 57th governor.”