New Brunswick, NJ – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill says New Jersey must be prepared to counter Republican-led gerrymandering efforts across the country by considering redistricting measures of its own, should the political landscape continue to erode fair elections.
Sherrill made it clear. If she wins in November, Republican Congressmen Chris Smith and Jeff VanDrew will be out of jobs.
Speaking in a recent interview, Sherrill sharply criticized national Republican strategies to entrench power through redrawn congressional maps in states like Texas, Missouri, and Florida. She emphasized the need for Democratic governors to serve as a coordinated line of defense.
“As a former military officer and prosecutor, my job is to be proactive,” said Sherrill. “If Republicans are engineering unwinnable maps and undermining democracy, we have to use every tool we have to respond—especially at the state level.”
While not committing to any specific redistricting proposal, Sherrill said she is open to re-evaluating New Jersey’s mapmaking process if national efforts by Republicans continue to erode democratic norms. She argued that Republican-controlled states are attempting to eliminate electoral competitiveness through aggressive gerrymandering—actions that demand a strategic counter-response.
“What Trump and his allies are doing is cheating the system because they’re afraid of losing under fair rules,” Sherrill said. “If that continues, governors like me must be ready to act after the election to protect our voters.”
Sherrill’s remarks come amid growing attention to redistricting tactics across the country, where partisan map-drawing has significantly reshaped the political playing field. She framed the issue not as partisan retaliation, but as a necessary defense of constitutional principles and electoral integrity.
In New Jersey, redistricting is handled by bipartisan commissions, but governors still play a critical role through appointments and political influence. Sherrill, currently a member of Congress, indicated she would use that authority if elected, depending on how national trends evolve.
She warned that allowing state executives to blindly follow party directives—such as former President Trump’s calls for guaranteed seats—undermines public trust and democracy.
“As governor, your job is to serve your state, not the president,” said Sherrill. “If you’re just there to carry out someone else’s orders, you should be voted out—no matter the party.”
