Listen to this articleThe basics:
- Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill‘s inauguration will take place Jan. 20 in Newark
- Transition includes key appointments, 10 policy action teams and bipartisan advisory groups
- Sherrill’s priorities focus on lowering costs, energy affordability and government accountability
- Public surveys and statewide listening tours are shaping the incoming administration
The new year also rings in the start of a new political era here in the Garden State. Following a decisive win in the November election, Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill is set to succeed Gov. Phil Murphy, who is term-limited after eight years in office.
In a break from tradition, Sherrill will be sworn in during a Jan. 20 inauguration in Newark at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in her native Essex County, which delivered huge turnout helping to secure her election victory over Republican Jack Ciattarelli.
“For more than a year, I’ve been up and down this state and am on a mission to deliver for all New Jerseyans – lower costs, a better future for our kids, and a more transparent and accountable state government,” said Sherrill in a Dec. 18 news release. “Leadership means listening to the people about what keeps them up at night – and we will start my administration the same way we won this race, by listening and taking action for the people I serve.
“I couldn’t be more honored to be sworn-in as your next governor and begin my administration in the Gateway City – and as governor, I will continue showing up for Newark, Trenton, and all of New Jersey’s communities.”
Since the election, Sherrill’s incoming administration and transition team has hit the ground running.
The governor-elect has made a series of notable hirings and key appointments/nominations, including:
In focus
In November, Sherrill announced a robust transition process – establishing 10 Action Teams comprised of experts and leaders from both sides of the aisle in key areas of focus for the administration, including:
- Making Energy More Affordable and Reliable
- Saving You Time and Money: Getting Government to Work for New Jerseyans
- Kids Mental Health and Online Safety
- Lowering Housing Costs and Expanding Homeownership
- Transportation and Infrastructure Innovation
- Fiscal Responsibility and Government Accountability
- Delivering a Strong Education for New Jersey Children
- Jobs, Opportunity, and Prosperity for All
- Affordable Healthcare: Addressing Washington’s Medicaid Cuts
- Driving New Jersey Forward: Economic Development and Innovation
In addition, an Interdisciplinary Advisory Task Force was set up to bring together voices from across the state, representing labor, business, veterans, the environment, health care, education and more; along with a bipartisan Local Government Advisory Group that is assisting the transition.
‘A mission to deliver’
“We’re bringing together experts and everyday New Jerseyans alike on a mission to deliver — by driving down costs starting with electric bills, improving state services and accountability, and protecting our kids. These teams will embody the spirit of collaboration, creativity, and action that New Jerseyans expect from their next governor,” said Sherrill. “I want to thank all of the volunteers investing their time to ensure my administration can hit the ground running when we take office in January.”
“Mikie Sherrill was elected with a mandate to lower costs and these action teams are getting right to work to help us hit the ground running on Day One,” said Caldwell. “We are grateful to everyone stepping up and lending their expertise and I look forward to working with them as we fight to make a real difference for the people of New Jersey.”
The third significant aspect of the transition policy process features a survey encouraging the public to weigh in on top issues, ideas and priorities as the next administration takes shape.
“As we begin our work, I want to hear directly from the people of New Jersey,” said Sherrill. “Our state is full of families, workers, educators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders with firsthand experience navigating our state government. Their insights will help us build a government that is collaborative, creative, and laser-focused on affordability. This survey is one of the many ways we intend to ensure that every voice has a place in shaping our administration, and in shaping New Jersey’s future.”
In December, Sherrill kicked off a statewide diner tour aimed at meeting with and listening to everyday New Jerseyans. Also last month, the Sherrill-Caldwell team hosted a Dec. 19 policy summit in East Brunswick featuring members of the transition Action Teams and Task Force.
During her remarks at that event, Sherrill laid out her motivation as the state’s next governor and gave insight into areas of focus and emphasis on day one. “We are all doing this work for so many reasons – but one of those key central things that motivate all of us is making sure all of our kids here in New Jersey have a bright future,” said Sherrill. “I just always know exactly why it is I fight and who it is I fight for. And I know each and every one of you here feels the same way. And I am so happy to have you as part of this.
“It’s truly meaningful work that we’re doing.”
‘The future here in New Jersey is bright’
Sherrill described public service to the community as a higher calling – “something truly special” – thanking the volunteers for being there during the thick of the holiday season to make time for the event. “It just warms my heart to know how dedicated so many of us are to making sure the future here in New Jersey is bright,” said Sherrill.
“Over the past month, as all of you know, we’ve hit the ground running. If I have heard any complaints from the Action Teams, it’s the timetable. And I do apologize – but as we would say in the Navy: time, tide, formation wait for no one,” she continued. “We are moving forward, and we have our deadline of Jan. 20, as we want to get this government set up and running.
“I will just tell you that I know we’ve so many people rolling up their sleeves, digging into key issues from housing to New Jersey Transit to utility prices to keeping kids safe online. And I believe that coming together for conversations like these is so important.”
She reflected on the campaign and how it focused on listening to New Jerseyans all around the state.
“And that does not end now that the campaign is over,” said Sherrill. “That’s actually when the work begins.”
A range of voices
Sherrill noted the transition teams were consciously built to represent a range of voices from across the state – and how the public survey is generating robust engagement and feedback. She urged the team to push it more to hear more responses so that the administration knows it’s on the right track.
“Because the role of government, I firmly believe, is to serve the people – to make people’s lives better,” said Sherrill. “That’s what we’re all here to do today.”
She stressed that is what she intends to do as the Garden State’s 57th governor.
Because the role of government, I firmly believe, is to serve the people – to make people’s lives better. That’s what we’re all here to do today.
– Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill
“On day one, I’ll freeze utility rate hikes – making sure we get right to work,” said Sherrill, reiterating a campaign pledge she made on one of the race’s central issues: energy/utility prices. “Over the first 100 days, we’ll start to cut through red tape/permitting, to make it easier to navigate government; to open your small business; to support your family.
“It’s why we’ll get new energy projects onto the grid as quickly as possible – so we can continue to drive down costs. And in our first budget, I’m going to be making sure our kids are set up for success with mental health access in schools and by holding big tech accountable.”
Challenges ahead
Sherrill also acknowledged that there are big challenges ahead.
“I have said to some of our partners – look, we’re going to have to do some really hard things together,” said Sherrill. “Some – like many of you in this room – have reacted to that with almost a sense of mission and purpose, and a desire to start to attack those right away.”
She joked that some may have thought, “Oh no, not me.“
“Because we know it’s going to be tough. But we know our families deserve better. So, we know we’ve got to do it,” Sherrill stressed.
She mentioned transportation funding as another key issue. “And we know we’ve got to face head-on the cuts to things like SNAP and Medicaid coming from Washington, D.C.
“We have to make sure that federal government, which is undercutting the economy right now, is stopped in its tracks as we work hard to address and invest in those things that are going to make our state stronger and more resilient. Things like our public schools, our economy, our rights and freedoms. Just making sure that we are addressing those things the federal government is trying to stop from doing, like the ban for states enacting legislation on artificial intelligence, which we will be fighting.”
Looking back, moving forward
The governor-elect emphasized that there is no better place to take on this fight than here in the great State of New Jersey. She reflected on her career, which has included her congressional tenure, time at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, as well as the Navy, and how she’s spent most of her life working nationally on key issues.
“And as I’ve done that, it always strikes me when I come home – that this state has more grit, determination, resilience, dedication to our communities, to our families, an understanding that when we all do better, we can all do better – in a way that is very unique to the Garden State,” said Sherrill. “In a way that we are going to take advantage of as we move forward and show the rest of the nation what it means to drive a good economy; what it means to create jobs for everyone; what it means to make sure every single kid in this state has a shot at success.
“That’s what we’re fighting for – and that’s what we can do here.”
Showing off NJ
Sherrill continued, making a plea and a promise.
“Whether it’s hosting the World Cup or being at the Crossroads of the Revolution, our nation’s 250th birthday, we have every opportunity to shine and to show off this state,” said Sherrill. “So, I need you. I need everyone in this room – and beyond this room. I need you to get into your communities as we drive success and change to make sure that everyone who loves this state and wants to see it thrive can help us out; can let us know what is it that’s keeping you up at night?
“Because I’ve told people: if it’s keeping you up at night, as your governor, it’s going to be keeping me up at night. That is what I pledge to you.”
She closed by saying that each and every day of the transition process, she feels more and more confident about what her administration is going to be able to create.
“I will end by saying this. We have a tough job ahead of us,” said Sherrill. “Alone, I can’t do it. But with all of you, with the people and the communities you serve, I can’t fail.”
