U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat representing the 11th District in North Jersey, made it official today – entering the 2025 gubernatorial race.

Sherrill, 52, has served in Congress since winning the seat in 2018 election. The mother of four, former U.S. Navy helicopter aircraft commander and former federal prosecutor won re-election to that seat earlier this month.

In a video announcement released Monday morning, Sherrill outlined her vision to bring new leadership and a fresh perspective to New Jersey. She pointed to issues such as building more housing, growing the economy, lowering costs for families and defending our freedoms.

“We’ve been through a lot these past couple of years. There’ve been crises in this country, all over the world, and here in New Jersey,” she said. “And after this election, we know people are more divided than ever on how to move forward. I’m Mikie Sherrill.”

Sherrill’s candidacy was widely anticipated. She joins a crowded field, which NJBIZ has reported on, which includes the recent entrance Friday by fellow North Jersey representative, U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-5th District.

Since taking office, Sherrill has quickly raised her profile – tackling a wide range of issues, such as congestion pricing, infrastructure projects like Gateway, manufacturing, national security, the SALT cap, reproductive freedom, abortion rights, child care and more.

She sits on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. Last year, Sherrill was named the most effective New Jersey House lawmaker by the nonpartisan Center for Effective Lawmaking.

Choosing to lead

“As a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a former Navy helicopter aircraft commander, here’s something I learned early on – in a crisis, the worst thing you can do is freeze,” said Sherrill. “You have to choose to lead, to follow, or get out of the way. So, we can either stand aside, or we can get to work on New Jersey’s future. And I know which one I pick. In New Jersey, we don’t whine, we work.”

Sherrill continued – emphasizing what she thinks when she passes the “Trenton Makes, The World Takes” sign.

“Hell yeah – that’s New Jersey,” said Sherrill. “This is the state, more than any other, that guaranteed our freedom as we fought for independence. This is the state that built this nation. And while we were at it, we even invented the light bulb. We’ve always been unafraid to do the big things – because we’re inventors and innovators and builders. And we work with our minds and our hands.”

She said she plans to confront the challenges we face head on, while setting the gold standard for protecting rights and freedoms, which she said will be under attack from “Donald Trump’s Washington.”

“Because in New Jersey, we love our country, we’re proud of our state, and we value our freedoms,” said Sherrill. “We’ll defend them with everything we’ve got.”

A mission to get things done

A recent Rutgers-Eagleton Poll assessed the likely 2025 gubernatorial field, showing that all of the candidates needed to boost their name ID with the broader electorate.

Sherrill did post the highest favorability on the Democratic side, with respondents viewing her 19% favorably, 8% unfavorably, 20% no opinion and 53% don’t know who she is.

Beginning Tuesday, Sherrill will hit the road to hear directly from New Jerseyans about their issues – starting with a stop at Eva’s Village in Paterson, along with Mayor Andre Sayegh, who has backed the congresswoman in the race.

Other Nov. 19 stops include a meeting with LiUNA members working at the Rutgers Cancer Institute project in New Brunswick; with patients and providers at the Visiting Nurses Association’s (VNA) Red Bank Community Health Center; and finally with the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association in Atlantic City, where the annual League of Municipalities Conference is kicking off this week.

At that annual event convening the state’s top governmental as well as business movers-and-shakers, the race to succeed to term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy is expected to ratchet up in earnest.

“In the Navy, I was on a mission to protect our country. Now, I’m announcing my candidacy for governor, on a mission to get things done for New Jersey,” said Sherrill. “This will be a campaign we build together because we all have a place and a say in New Jersey’s future. And I’ve met so many people who believe as deeply as I do in the promise of our state. And I’m asking you to join us.

“So, New Jersey, let’s build something.”