WASHINGTON, D.C. — Mikie Sherrill is running for Governor of New Jersey for the Democrats and says she wants to lower taxes and make the Garden State more affordable, but her latest act in Congress proves otherwise.
Sherrill voted against property tax relief for many in New Jersey, a state that has some of the highest property taxes in America, which could have cost some middle-class families struggling to pay their mortgage and taxes dearly.
Luckily, she and her fellow Democrat congress members from New Jersey were defeated by Republicans and the tax bill passed.
Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) was the only Democrat to vote against a tax bill expanding the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap, drawing criticism from her opponents in New Jersey and beyond.
The bill — H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — was signed into law by President Trump on July 4 and includes sweeping tax changes that extend provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Among them is an increase in the SALT deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000, a key issue for many New Jersey homeowners who pay among the highest property taxes in the nation.
Despite the bill’s expansion of the deduction, Sherrill opposed it, citing concerns over broader provisions in the legislation.
“Once again, I’m disgusted, yet not surprised, that my Washington Republican colleagues could not find the courage to stand up and do what is right by the American people,” Sherrill said. “This bill is ripping apart the very foundation of that dream by giving handouts to Americans while making working families pay the price.”
The expanded SALT cap would gradually phase back down to $10,000 for individuals earning over $500,000, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The SALT changes alone are projected to cost $140 billion over 10 years, while the full tax package will add an estimated $3.2 trillion to the federal deficit.
Though the bill passed, Sherrill’s vote against the deduction increase is expected to resonate with residents in her district, where annual property tax bills often exceed the original $10,000 cap.
Mikie Sherrill Doesn’t Like Her New Nickname, Vanilla Harris, Domain Name Registered Links to Campaign Website
TRENTON, N.J. — A nickname coined by a conservative social media user has drawn a bizarre digital response from Rep. Mikie Sherrill’s campaign, or followers, escalating tensions in New Jersey’s gubernatorial race.
Sherrill is now running for governor in New Jersey.
The term “Vanilla Harris,” used by the account @Oldglorycries to mock Sherrill, was posted earlier this week and quickly picked up by right-wing users, including @AWokeZombie. The Sherrill campaign responded by purchasing the domain vanillaharris.com, which now hosts a direct rebuttal accusing critics of deflection and misinformation.
The name appears to be a cross-reference to Sherrill being a watered-down version of former Democratic candidate for President, Kamala Harris, with a side order of mocking former President Joe Biden’s love of vanilla ice cream, perhaps.
“Right-wing operatives would rather invent childish nicknames and spread misinformation than talk honestly about policy,” the campaign website reads.
The message continues with criticism of political opponents for “threatening budget cuts and school closures after pursuing frivolous lawsuits through crony law firms,” while positioning Sherrill’s Affordability Agenda as a contrast.
The website promotes her policy platform focused on clean energy investment, universal pre-K, and tax relief for working families. It does not address the origin of the nickname directly.
The domain move drew ridicule from the nickname’s creator, who reposted the site alongside emojis and taunts. “Vanilla Harri”s was coined by @oldglorycries,” the user wrote.
Sherrill, a Democrat and former Navy helicopter pilot, announced her campaign for governor earlier this year. She has not made a personal statement about the nickname or the website.
The web address remains active as of Sunday and continues to display a message countering the online mockery.