TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey’s newly elected governor, Mikie Sherrill, said she plans to declare a state of emergency on her first day in office to block utility rate hikes and “get costs down quickly” for working families, while pressing Washington to end the ongoing government shutdown and extend federal health care subsidies.
Speaking Friday in an interview following her victory in last week’s election, Sherrill said she will make affordability, health care, and public safety her top priorities when she takes office.
Key Points
- Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill says she will declare a state of emergency to freeze rate hikes.
- Calls on federal leaders to reopen government and extend health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.
- Says Democrats must “act urgently” to lower costs for working families.
Sherrill urges action on health care and the shutdown
Sherrill, who currently serves in Congress, said she supports Democratic efforts to withhold votes on temporary funding until Republicans agree to restore Affordable Care Act subsidies. “It’s really important that we keep up that fight,” she said, warning that health care costs could rise by as much as 175% in New Jersey if the subsidies lapse.
She blamed the ongoing shutdown on “Republican refusal to govern,” adding, “They have the presidency, the Senate, and the House. They have a responsibility to open up this government and stop punishing the American people.”
Plans to freeze rate hikes and accelerate clean energy
Turning to state policy, Sherrill said she will use her emergency powers to stop planned utility rate increases and accelerate energy infrastructure upgrades. “I’m not going to allow those hikes to be put on the backs of New Jersey ratepayers,” she said.
The incoming governor said her administration will cut red tape for solar and battery storage projects, expand modernization of natural gas facilities, and pursue long-term investment in nuclear energy. “Every electron we produce in New Jersey will defray the costs of the electricity we have to buy,” she said, calling for faster permitting to boost power generation and lower bills.
Calls for urgency and stronger Democratic leadership
Sherrill criticized what she described as “too much caution and mediocrity” within her own party, saying Democrats must act boldly to help working families. “People don’t want a ten-year plan. They want results now,” she said. “Day one, I’m declaring a state of emergency because too many people have failed New Jersey ratepayers.”
She also called for reforms to cut bureaucracy in Trenton and to “fight back against tariffs and federal policies that are raising prices on everything from coffee to housing.”
On public safety and women in politics
Asked about security threats facing public officials following recent political violence, Sherrill said the risks are real but should not deter women from seeking office. “As a mom, I’ve thought about how running might put my kids at risk,” she said. “But I also think about what their future looks like if I don’t run.”
Sherrill praised former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for her leadership and said women across New Jersey are continuing to enter public service despite concerns about safety. “It’s a scary time,” she said, “but most of us are weighing what kind of future our kids will have if we don’t step up and lead.”
The governor-elect will take office in January, succeeding Governor Phil Murphy, who has served since 2018.