After what was expected to be a tight race, Democrat Mikie Sherrill defeated Republican Jack Ciattarelli by more than 13 points during the New Jersey Gubernatorial Election on Tuesday.
Between protecting reproductive healthcare rights and improving overall affordability in New Jersey, here are six things the Garden State’s first woman Democratic governor promises to do once she’s sworn in come January:
1. Freeze, Lower Utility Costs
Sherrill made it very clear throughout her campaign that on day one as governor, she intends to declare a state of emergency regarding utility costs in New Jersey.
Specifically, the Governor-elect plans to freeze utility costs for New Jersey families, as her administration “massively increase(s) New Jersey’s power generation” by creating more solar and battery storage projects and upgrading already existing nuclear and natural gas plants.
“Life in New Jersey is too expensive and every single New Jerseyan who pays the bills knows it,” Sherrill said. “It’s appalling that while costs rise on everything, New Jerseyans are now being slapped with, at minimum, a 20% increase in their utility bills, and Donald Trump’s tax hike bill will increase costs by an additional $220 per year by cancelling cheap and clean generation and energy efficiency programs. We’ve all had enough of it; no one can afford it; it’s got to stop.”
She also intends to require a higher level of transparency for the state’s electric companies, including PSE&G, JCP&L, Atlantic City Electric, and Rockland Electric.
Additionally, Sherrill plans to take President Donald Trump’s administration and New Jersey’s grid operator, PJM, to court to “force them to end their mismanagement and instead accelerate the development of cheaper and cleaner energy sources and connect new power generation to our grid immediately.”
2. Reduce Healthcare Costs
Sherrill says that as governor, she will “fight like hell” against policies in Washington that are “dismantling” programs including Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Additionally, Sherrill said she will crack down on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in the health care sector, as well as other “bad actors and special interests who drive prices up and sell our residents out.”
“No one needs to tell you that costs for everything from health care to housing to groceries are too high. And for all the promises from career politicians to do something about it — nothing seems to change,” a statement from Sherrill read. “But I was trained to focus on the mission at hand, and I’ve never backed down from a challenge.”
Furthermore, the Governor-elect says her administration will fight back against rising healthcare costs “through independent, third-party auditing of the State Health Benefits Program claims and clawing back overpayments.”
3. Protect Reproductive Rights
As reproductive rights are being peeled back across the country, New Jersey has held somewhat steadfast, but Sherrill says that more can be done to protect a woman’s right to choose in New Jersey.
“I strongly support enshrining the right to an abortion in New Jersey’s state constitution to permanently protect reproductive freedom,” Sherrill said. “Despite laws in place to protect access to care, too often women in New Jersey face additional barriers in getting care. New Jersey must take action to require comprehensive insurance coverage for all reproductive health care services, including abortion.”
The Governor-elect says she will expand access to contraception, abortion, and in vitro fertilization (IVF) services across the state, planning to make New Jersey “the first line of defense in protecting reproductive rights.”
4. Crackdown On Crime, Support Law Enforcement
Sherrill says that despite New Jersey having the seventh-most restrictive gun policies, the state has the fourth-lowest firearm death rate. Part of her plan as governor is to work with law enforcement to swiftly remove illegal guns off of the street.
Sherrill also intends to fund law enforcement agencies while also providing support to mental health and substance abuse services for the mentally ill and recently released.
“We must also make sure that police officers have the support and resources they need to be successful,” she said. “From updating 911 infrastructure to funding license plate readers to combat car theft, in Congress, I have worked closely with law enforcement leaders to provide our police departments the tools that officers require to serve our communities and keep us safe. And I will continue to do just that as governor.”
Regarding undocumented immigrants, Sherrill said, “Violent criminals should be deported, but I also believe in due process.” She added that she would not allow Federal ICE agents to remain unmasked, but has not given details on how she plans to enforce that.
5. Get Education ‘Back On Track’
Sherrill believes one of the biggest issues facing New Jersey students and teachers is the ‘learning loss’ following the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 1.3 million New Jersey students were taken out of the classroom during the quarantine, and Sherrill believes the gap not only affected their education, but their mental health as well.
She plans to implement high-impact tutoring in struggling school districts to address the learning loss and increase the number of school counselors, psychologists, and mental health services to address the mental health crisis.
Additionally, the Governor-elect wants to work with school districts, colleges, and trade schools to provide more pathways to the workforce. This will include more union apprenticeships and job training programs.
She has also argued for merging some local school districts to drive down taxes.
6. Improve Overall Affordability
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Housing: Sherrill intends to increase new home construction, in an effort to “expand opportunities for home ownership and help drive down rental costs as supply increases.”
Additionally, she is looking to increase affordable housing by working with municipalities to repurpose “underutilized infrastructure” into housing units.
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Tax Relief: Sherrill has expressed support for the state’s existing ANCHOR and Stay NJ tax relief programs.
Sherrill also intends to close tax loopholes and “crack down on ultra-wealthy and corporate tax cheats who get away without paying their fair share.”
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Groceries: Sherrill says that grocery costs were a main concern of voters throughout her campaign. Her plan is to go after large corporations that “jack up” food prices, while investing in small businesses to create stronger competition and lower food costs.
Sherril also said she will fight to protect food aid programs, like SNAP, while also supporting local farmers and agriculture.
“Trump’s reckless tariff war and planned cuts to nutrition programs are making it impossible for families to budget. These rising costs are placing a serious burden on families, especially those who are already struggling to make ends meet,” she said. “In New Jersey, we should promote competition within the grocery market, increase local food production, and support our state’s farmers and agricultural sector.”
6 Priorities Mikie Sherrill Has Once Governor originally appeared on the Across New Jersey Patch
