Sherrill wins Morris Democratic convention by wide margin

Gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill won a resounding victory at the Morris County Democratic convention today, securing the endorsement and party slogan in a county where she’s enjoyed considerable electoral success in her four campaigns for Congress.

Sherrill received 385 votes (76%), followed by Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (88), New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller (20), and former Senate President Steve Sweeney (8).    There were 23 abstentions.  Two other candidates, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Tenafly) and Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, did not participate in the Morris convention but did make an appearance this afternoon.

Fulop has the endorsement of Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty.

In her first House in 2018, Sherrill received 76% of the vote in a five-candidate Democratic primary in the Morris County portion of New Jersey’s 11th district.  She carried Morris County with 55% in the general election; two years earlier, Republican Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-Harding) won 62% in Morris.

She received 52% in Morris in 2020, 53% in 2022, and 67% in 2024.

“Morris County is Mikie’s second home, which is why she had such a resounding and deserving win at our convention. Since 2018, she’s built up our party dramatically, helping us flip towns from red to blue in a matter of a few years,” said Morris Township Committeeman Mark Gyorfy.  “Mikie Sherrill is relentless in her resolve to fight to make our towns, counties and state better and has proven that Democrats can win anywhere if they’re not afraid to show up, share their vision, and deliver for people. That’s why she’s the best candidate to lead us to victory in November.”

Sherrill has now won six Democratic conventions as she seeks to succeed term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy: Hunterdon, Mercer, Monmouth, Sussex and Middlesex.  Sweeney won Burlington, Atlantic, Cumberland, and Gloucester, and Gottheimer won Bergen.