New Jersey Gubernatorial Race Heats Up

Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) finds herself in a competitive race for New Jersey’s governorship, notably receiving a significant number of absentee votes compared to her congressional peers.

Since the start of the current Congress on January 3, Sherrill has missed 145 House votes, which represents about 53% of the total bills brought to vote. This sets her apart from Rep. Donald Norcross (D-N.J.), who trailed her by 83 votes.

Sherrill’s absenteeism is particularly notable among candidates pursuing statewide positions in recent years.

In response to inquiries about her voting record, Shaun Higgins, the communications director for Sherrill’s campaign, emphasized her commitment to New Jersey issues. “Mikie Sherrill fights every day for our state on crucial matters like the Gateway Tunnel project,” Higgins noted, referencing the funding controversies during the Trump administration that jeopardized critical infrastructure financing.

Final Showdown: Candidates Debate

Sherrill’s voting absences aren’t entirely without precedent but stand out given the scrutiny incumbents face when vying for higher office. Matthew Green, a professor at The Catholic University of America, pointed out that the closeness of the race means Sherrill needs to dedicate considerable time to her campaign, which could lead to more missed votes in Washington. “It’s not unusual to miss votes, but too many could raise questions about credibility,” he remarked. “Nonetheless, campaigning is a unique opportunity.”

Recent polling from Fox News indicates Sherrill leads Republican Jack Ciatarelli by a slim margin of 4 percentage points (48% to 44%), down from a seven-point advantage just a month ago.

Chris Russell, part of Ciatarelli’s campaign, stated that Sherrill’s absences have become more critical as the election approaches. He pointed out that she attended only eight out of 63 possible votes over the past three months, equating to an alarming 87% absentee rate. “She undertook her re-election campaign while neglecting her responsibilities,” Russell argued. “It’s concerning that she’s missed almost 90% of votes recently.”

Sherrill, alongside her Democratic allies, opposed short-term funding proposals last month and rejected Trump’s significant tax and border security initiatives earlier this year.

Unusual Voting Record

Since the elimination of proxy voting—implemented during the pandemic—in 2023, only one other House candidate running for statewide office has a similar voting record to Sherrill’s. Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who pursued a Senate seat in 2024, managed to vote in only 52% of House votes during his campaign. In contrast to Sherrill, Schiff won convincingly, beating his opponent by 17.8%.

Interestingly, Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), another congressional candidate that year, claimed a narrow victory but participated in 99% of legislative voting. Most candidates running that year maintained participation levels above 80%.

The situation is reminiscent of former Rep. Abigail Spanberger (R-Va.), who opted not to seek re-election last year while campaigning for a gubernatorial position in Virginia.

Political Conventions Shift Perspective

Green commented on the flexible norms in American politics regarding resignations to chase other offices. There is no established expectation for candidates to vacate their positions when running for higher office, he observed, recalling Bill Clinton’s bold announcement during his presidential campaign in 1996. “Such risks come with the territory,” he acknowledged.

According to Russell, despite narrowing margins, Sherrill maintains her lead as the election day approaches on November 4. “Jack Ciatarelli lacks conviction in his policies,” Russell asserted. “That’s why he continues to lag in the low 40s in polls. Voters are discerning about health care and tax issues, which doesn’t bode well for him.”

The early voting period starts on October 25 and concludes on November 2.