**New Jersey Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill Says She Has a Mandate to Make State More Affordable**
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill said Wednesday she believes she has a clear mandate to fulfill her campaign promises focused on making the state more affordable. The Democrat is also dialing back her criticism of Republican President Donald Trump—for now—as she sets up her administration amid Democratic victories in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and New York City.
Sherrill met with Gov. Phil Murphy, D-N.J., at his statehouse office, where they discussed the transition. When asked if her double-digit victory over Republican Jack Ciattarelli signaled a mandate, the congresswoman responded, “Yes, I do, a big one.”
While Sherrill did not directly address how her centrist victory in a state that had been shifting to the right aligns with the election of democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as New York City mayor—a candidate favored by the Democrats’ progressive wing—she remained focused on her core message of affordability.
“The reason I was so focused on affordability issues is because my communities are focused on affordability issues and how they’re going to be successful,” Sherrill said.
She has promised to issue an executive order to freeze monthly electricity bills and aims to expand a program for first-time homebuyers.
During the campaign, Sherrill strongly criticized Trump’s tariffs, describing them as “a worldwide extortion racket,” and positioned him as a key foil in the race. Although she has not yet spoken to Trump, she expressed willingness to collaborate on bringing federal funds into the state—particularly for the Gateway rail tunnel project connecting New Jersey with Manhattan. The Trump administration froze funds for the project amid the government shutdown.
In defeating Ciattarelli, Sherrill flipped counties that had supported Republicans in the previous year’s presidential and gubernatorial races. She also performed strongly among nonwhite voters, winning about 7 in 10, according to the AP Voter Poll, which surveyed more than 4,000 New Jersey voters.
This is a promising sign for Democrats who have been trying to regain support among nonwhite voters after Trump made gains in this demographic in 2024. Sherrill captured about half of the state’s white voters, who comprise 7 in 10 voters overall.
The poll found that approximately 9 in 10 Black voters supported Sherrill, along with about 8 in 10 Asian voters. Hispanic voters were more divided, but around two-thirds favored Sherrill, while only about 3 in 10 voted for Ciattarelli.
Last year, Trump made inroads with Black and Hispanic communities in New Jersey, narrowing the Democratic margin from 16 percentage points in 2020 to just 6 points.
The poll also highlighted economic messaging: Sherrill won about 7 in 10 voters who said their family’s finances were “falling behind,” a group comprising roughly one-quarter of voters.
“What I saw was that our message was resonating,” Sherrill said.
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Associated Press writer Linley Sanders in Washington contributed to this report.
https://ktar.com/national-news/sherrill-says-she-has-a-mandate-as-new-jerseys-next-governor-and-will-focus-on-affordability/5771071/