Special Election To Replace Mikie Sherrill Set: Here’s What Happens Next

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has set an election date to replace Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill in Congress.

On Friday, Murphy issued a writ of election to fill a vacancy in the U.S. House of Representatives for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District. A special primary election will take place on Feb. 5. A special general election will be held on April 16.

There will be six days of in-person early voting for the special primary election, spanning Jan. 29 through Feb. 3, and nine days of in-person early voting for the special general election spanning April 6 through April 14.

Sherrill’s resignation took effect at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday. She was required to turn over the seat as a condition of becoming governor – which will take place on Jan. 20.

Sherrill had been serving as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives in the state’s 11th congressional district, which spans dozens of towns in Essex, Morris and Passaic counties (see list below).

The congresswoman was re-elected in 2024. Her term ends in January 2027.

Sherrill said it has been an honor to serve in Congress.

“Public service is a public trust,” she wrote in a letter to Murphy. “I look forward to continuing to serve the residents of the 11th district and all New Jerseyans as governor next year.”

According to Sherrill, she sat down with Murphy the day after the election to discuss ways to make a smooth transition in the governor’s office. She has also met with Senate and Assembly leaders – “Democrats and Republicans alike.”

“We all want to move forward to make sure we’re getting the best outcomes for people across our state,” Sherrill said.

• See Related: Here's What Happens To Sherrill's House Seat When She Becomes Governor

CANDIDATE UPDATE

Murphy’s writ of election states that nomination petitions for partisan candidates seeking a party nomination in the special primary election must be filed by Dec. 1. A total of 500 valid signatures are required for primary candidates.

Direct nominations by petition for independent candidates for the special general election shall be filed no later than the date of the special primary election. Independent candidates need 250 valid signatures to appear on the general election ballot.

There is a growing list of candidates who have announced they are running for Sherrill’s seat, have filed paperwork to run, or are expected to do so shortly.

The list currently includes:

• New Jersey Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way
• Former U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski
• Randolph Mayor Joe Hathaway
• Passaic County Commissioner John Bartlett
• Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill
• Maplewood Committee member Dean Dafis
• Former Barack Obama staffer Cammie Croft
• Morris Township Deputy Mayor Jeff Grayzel
• Chatham Borough Council Member Justin Strickland
• Former Sherrill intern and congressional staffer Marc Chaaban
• Community activist Anna Lee Williams
• Venture capitalist Zach Beecher

Other names that have been floated as potential replacements include New Jersey Assemblywoman Rosy Bagolie, South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum, and former Biden administration staffer Jack Miller.

• See Related: 3 Morris County Officials Compete For Mikie Sherrill’s Spot In Congress
• See Related: 2 Congress Candidates From Montclair Seek Sherrill's Seat In NJ-11

WHERE IS THE 11TH DISTRICT?

New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District includes the following municipalities:

Essex County – Belleville, Bloomfield, Cedar Grove, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Montclair (part), North Caldwell, Nutley, Roseland, South Orange, West Caldwell

Morris County – Boonton, Boonton Township, Butler, Chatham, Chatham Township, Denville, Dover, East Hanover, Florham Park, Hanover, Harding, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Madison, Mendham Twp (part), Montville, Morris Plains, Morris Township, Morristown Town, Mountain Lakes, Parsippany-Troy Hills, Pequannock, Randolph, Riverdale, Rockaway, Rockaway Township, Victory Gardens

Passaic County – Little Falls, Totowa, Wayne (part), Woodland Park

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