Teresa Ruiz endorses Mikie Sherrill for Governor

Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz will back Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) for the Democratic nomination for governor, giving the Essex County congresswoman a major endorsement from Newark Mayor Ras Baraka’s home city.

Sherrill has now secured support from both of Newark’s senators: State Sen. Renee Burgess (D-Irvington), who represents the next-door 28th district and Baraka’s South Ward home.

“I have worked side by side with Mikie for years, and at every turn, I have seen a fierce fighter for families and freedom. Mikie’s a working mother, and it’s why I believe she is a passionate advocate for making childcare more affordable and ensuring every child in New Jersey, regardless of ZIP code, gets a great education,” said Ruiz.  “These issues are paramount to improving the quality of life for families today and tomorrow, and I know Mikie Sherrill will be a champion who is deeply committed to building opportunity for the next generation — and who won’t back down from tough challenges.”

Sherrill also has the backing of two Black mayors of Essex County, Ted Green of East Orange and Tony Vauss of Irvington.

Ruiz, a six-term senator and the state’s highest-ranking Hispanic elected official, has been the majority leader since Loretta Weinberg retired in 2022, and is a former Senate President Pro-Tempore and Senate Education Committee chair.