New Jersey Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill tells Congress she will resign ‘next week’
New Jersey Mikie Sherrill elected by the government He used the first session of the U.S. House of Representatives since the government shutdown on Oct. 1 to announce his resignation as representative of New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District.
“This will be my last speech in this chamber,” he said Wednesday evening as the House debated ahead of a vote on a Senate-passed funding deal that would end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
“I plan to submit my resignation next week and turn my attention to protecting all of New Jersey,” Sherrill said during the Nov. 12 debate during the allotted 90 seconds.
New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill smiles as she pauses during her victory speech Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in East Brunswick.
Sherrill was first elected to the North Jersey suburban district in 2018, sparking a wave of dissatisfaction with the then-President. Donald Trump To win the seat the Republican Party has held for decades. Redrawn after the 2020 Census, the 11th count now includes parts of Morris, Passaic and Essex counties.
He did not give an exact date for his resignation. His swearing-in ceremony as governor is scheduled for January 20.
Sherrill joined most Democrats in opposing the bill to reopen the government, citing Republicans’ move to cut health insurance subsidies.
“I oppose the rule for a bill that does nothing to protect the more than 450,000 New Jerseyans who will see their health premiums skyrocket,” he said. “I took my first oath to the Constitution when I was 18 and went to the Naval Academy. That’s an oath to serve, to go to war. And after I saw Washington Republicans attack the Affordable Care Act, I ran for Congress.
“I promised I would take on the status quo. I would fight big fights, because that’s what people expect from their leaders,” Sherrill said. “That’s what people deserve from their leaders. And I’m proud of the victories I’ve achieved.”
Mikie Sherrill’s farewell words
He took time to review some of his accomplishments in office, saying they included “limiting the cost of insulin on prescription drugs for seniors, funding for the Gateway Tunnel, PACT Act for veterans, flood mitigation projects, delivery for Picatinny Arsenal.”
“You trusted me, New Jersey, and last week you trusted me again and elected me your 57th governor,” he continued. “I made a similar promise to outdo everyone and stop at nothing to reduce costs and create opportunity for everyone.”
His farewell message included a thank you to his constituents and staff and a challenge to his colleagues.
“Don’t let this body become a ceremonial red mark of an administration that takes away people’s health care, takes away food from children,” he said. “I tell your country to stand strong. As we say in the Navy, don’t give up on the ship.”
He was embraced by several of his colleagues on the House floor as the debate continued.
Who will replace him in Congress?
Sherrill was re-elected to the House of Representatives three times before launching his campaign this year to replace two-term Gov. Phil Murphy.
Although most polls showed a tight race, he won a decisive victory on November 4, defeating Republican candidate Jack Cittarelli with 57% of the vote.
A long list of Democrats have already expressed interest in replacing him in Congress, including former 7th District Rep. Tom Malinowski, who lost his seat to Tom Kean Jr. in 2022. Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill and Passaic County Commissioner John Bartlett also declared they are on the Democratic side. So far, only one Republican, Randolph Mayor Joe Hathaway, has announced his candidacy.
A special election will be held to fill the 11th District seat.
This article first appeared in the Morristown Daily Record: NJ-Gov. Elect Mikie Sherrill tells Congress he will resign next week
