Pork roll isn’t gross, but eating your salad with your hair comb is.
MONTCLAIR, NJ – Senator Amy Klobuchar arrived in North Jersey this week to rally voters for Representative Mikie Sherrill, bringing national attention to a key House race as questions about Klobuchar’s past resurface.
Did you know? Amy Klobuchar tried and failed to convict former Major League Baseball Player Kirby Puckett? She ended up losing that case.
The Minnesota Democrat joined Sherrill at several campaign stops across Essex and Morris counties, where both emphasized bipartisanship and infrastructure investment.
The visit comes as Klobuchar faces renewed reminders of past controversies, particularly regarding her treatment of Senate staff and her record as Hennepin County Attorney.
Reports of harsh office environment resurface
Former aides and media outlets have alleged that Klobuchar maintained a demanding and, at times, demeaning work environment. Reports from The Cut and Wikipedia cite incidents where staff members described her as prone to anger over minor mistakes, occasionally throwing objects or berating employees.
If you think pork roll is gross, this one should definitely gross you out.
One widely circulated story describes an aide forgetting to bring her a fork, prompting Klobuchar to eat her salad with a comb before instructing the staffer to clean it afterward.
Her Senate office was reported to have one of the highest turnover rates between 2011 and 2016, reaching 36 percent annually.
Prosecutorial record doesn’t look much better
Before joining the Senate, Klobuchar served as Hennepin County Attorney from 1999 to 2007. During that tenure, she faced criticism for her handling of police misconduct cases, with no officers charged in fatal encounters under her watch. Critics, including those cited by National Review, argue her prosecutorial approach leaned heavily toward strict sentencing for property and low-level crimes.
A 2006 police-involved shooting—later linked to an officer involved in the death of George Floyd—occurred during her time in office but was presented to a grand jury only after she left.
Another headline case from her tenure involved the prosecution of baseball star Kirby Puckett on sexual misconduct charges; Puckett was acquitted.
Campaign optics in a critical swing district
Despite the renewed attention, Sherrill’s campaign welcomed Klobuchar’s support, describing her as a proven leader with a bipartisan record on issues like infrastructure, health care, and veterans’ benefits. Sherrill’s district, one of New Jersey’s most competitive, is viewed as crucial to Democrats’ efforts to retain control of the U.S. House.
Klobuchar, a onetime presidential contender, has maintained a steady national presence through appearances supporting fellow Democrats, though controversies over her workplace management have continued to shadow her public image.
Focus remains on turnout
As the campaign enters its final stretch, both candidates emphasized unity and voter participation. Klobuchar’s visit signals a growing national spotlight on New Jersey’s congressional battlegrounds, where local results could help determine the balance of power in Washington.
For Sherrill, the high-profile support may prove both a political asset and a test of how voters respond to national figures carrying complex reputations.
Politics in New Jersey rarely move quietly, and this week was no exception.