Sherrill wins Monmouth Democratic convention in landslide

Rep. Mikie Sherrill has won her third Democratic county convention, scoring a big victory in Monmouth County today.

Sherrill defeated Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, 338-96, 73%-21%, with New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller receiving 30 votes.

The four-term congresswoman from Montclair captured party endorsements in Hunterdon and Mercer counties earlier this month.

The elimination of county organization lines and the move to office block ballots have diminished the value of convention wins – the line no longer comes with an advantageous ballot position – but Sherrill run in the June 10 Democratic primary with the organization slogan.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer said on Wednesday that he would not participate in conventions where he believed the outcome was preordained.  But he didn’t formally notify party officials until last night and his name remained on the ballot.  Votes for Gottheimer 48, mostly from vote-by-mail ballos, were not counted, and his total was not announced.

Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and former Senate President Steve Sweeney previously announced they would not compete in Monmouth.

“We have a policy of not attending charade conventions where the county party leadership has pre-baked the outcome against us — where the fix is in,” said Chelsea Brossard, Gottheimer’s campaign manager.

Monmouth County Democratic Chair Dyese Davis defended the process, saying her county “has been and remains one of the most open and transparent conventions in the state of New Jersey.”

“Let me be clear: I am deeply disappointed—not just by the lack of direct communication from the congressman regarding his decision, but by the baseless allegations made against Monmouth County Democrats,” she said in remarks to delegates this morning.  “This is the same Monmouth County that has held open and fair conventions year after year.  The same Monmouth County that uses secret ballots to ensure the will of the voters is respected. The same Monmouth County that last year overwhelmingly supported Senator Andy Kim—someone who has fairly and openly criticized ballot structures and machine politics.”

Brossard said Gottheimer was grateful to “municipal committee members who have been so welcoming.”

“He has proudly contributed and raised more than $119,000 for Democrats in Monmouth County,” she said.  “Josh will continue to speak directly to voters in Monmouth and across the state.”

The large turnout in Monmouth came after Davis and party leaders enhanced voting opportunities for county committee members and other delegates. Vote-by-mail ballots were available for those who could not attend in-person today, and the voting machines were open from 10 AM to 4 PM so delegates could vote at their convenience.

“Today, Democrats in Monmouth County took a stand for our country and the future we believe in, and I’m so grateful to have their support,” Sherrill said.  “With the chaos and corruption coming from Trump’s Washington, we cannot afford to let the nation we hold dear slip through our fingers.”

Monmouth Democrats endorsed Janine Bauer, a former Essex County freeholder, to run in the 10th district, Assemblywomen Luanne Peterpaul (D-Long Branch) and Margie Donlon (D-Ocean) in the 11th, Vaibhav Gorige in the 13th, and Assemblyman Avi Schnall (D-Lakewood) in the 30th.

“Being able to advocate for the community I am proud to call my home has been one of the greatest honors of my life. We know that there is still so much more work to do to help Monmouth County families plan for the future,” said Peterpaul.  “We see our role as state representatives as one that continues to protect our essential freedoms and support programs to make New Jersey more affordable.”