Seventeen Sussex Democrats back Sherrill

A group of seventeen Sussex County Democratic leaders have endorsed Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) for governor, calling her “an accomplished leader who exemplifies the values of service, advocacy, and progress.”

The endorsers include Sparta Mayor Neill Clark, and Democratic State Committee members Anthony Riccardi and Michele Van Allen.   Riccardi is a Stanhope councilman.

Sussex is a solidly Republican county – Democrats have not won a countywide race since 1999 – and has 26,829 registered Democrats – just slightly more than Cherry Hill.  Sherrill represented four Sussex municipalities during her first two terms in Congress, before redistricting.

Sherrill also has the support of seven Democratic municipal chairs: Laura Riccardi, Stanhope; Susan Jones, Hopatcong, Allison Powers, Andover; Carl Contino, Vernon; Sally Goodson, Hardyston; Damaris Lira, Sussex Borough; and Caroline Yodice, Sandyston.

Five of those municipal chairs — Andover, Vernon, Hardyston, Sussex, and Sandyston – are from municipalities represented in Congress by another gubernatorial candidate, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Tenafly).

Also backing Sherrill for governor are: Daniel Chiarello, Sparta councilman and former mayor; Dean Blumetti, Sparta deputy mayor; Heather Scott-Matson of Sparta Progressives; former county commissioner candidates Jason Boehm, Kristy Lavin, and Howie Zatkowski.

“As a veteran and proven public servant, she has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to protecting women’s reproductive rights, addressing the affordability crisis, expanding access to housing and healthcare, and ensuring economic stability for all New Jerseyans,” the supporters said in a joint statement.  “Her leadership is precisely what Sussex County – and our state as a whole – needs to navigate the challenges ahead.”