Two Democratic House members, Reps. Mikie Sherrill and Josh Gottheimer, are gearing up to announce their respective campaigns for governor of New Jersey in the near future. This move will add to the already crowded field of candidates vying to succeed the term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy, a former Democratic National Committee finance chair.
Sherrill is expected to make her official announcement on Monday, while Gottheimer will follow suit in the upcoming days, as per sources familiar with their plans. The 2025 gubernatorial race in New Jersey is one of the first major statewide elections scheduled post the recent presidential election.
Vice President Kamala Harris secured a victory in New Jersey by over 5 points against President-elect Donald Trump, a decrease from Joe Biden's nearly 16-point win in the state four years ago. The state has shown signs of increased competitiveness during the Trump administration, with Murphy, initially a strong contender for re-election in 2021, narrowly defeating Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli by about 3 points.
The impending gubernatorial campaigns were initially reported by the New Jersey Globe. A source familiar with the plans of both members stated, 'Both plan to announce their runs for governor in the coming days, ahead of the Annual NJ League of Municipalities gathering in Atlantic City.'
For both Gottheimer and Sherrill, seeking higher office has been a long-standing aspiration. Last year, they briefly considered running for the US Senate amidst a corruption scandal involving former-Sen. Bob Menendez. Both representatives are considered centrists within the House Democratic caucus and have experience in competitive races. Sherrill is recognized for her national security expertise, while Gottheimer collaborates closely with GOP colleagues in the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, which he co-chairs.
