Paul Ryan Rails Against 'Montclair Mikie' In NJ-11 Race

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan blasted Democrat Mikie Sherrill as "Montclair Mikie" during a fundraiser for Republican Jay Webber earlier this week, according to media reports.

“Montclair Mikie? Is that what we say? All right,” Ryan said at the fundraiser, Yahoo News reported, referencing the famously liberal town Sherrill hails from. Ryan called on voters to elect another Republican to replace retiring Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen, who has held the seat since the mid-1990s.

New Jersey's 11th district focuses on Morris County, where Webber is from, and includes towns from Sussex, Passaic, and Essex Counties. Montclair is split between New Jersey's 10th and 11th districts. Morris County is generally a Republican area.

Sherrill's hometown has been a point in the campaign before, because she did not live in the district when she announced her campaign, Montclair Local reported. She has since moved to the 11th district section of town.

Sherrill spoke out against the rally, saying in a statement, "“It is not surprising that Assemblyman Webber would bring the architect of the tax hike bill to our community. While Speaker Ryan punished New Jersey families, slashing the state and local tax deduction and threatening the future of Social Security and Medicare, Assemblyman Webber stood in lock step with his Washington agenda. Their record as career politicians pursuing an ideological agenda may bond Ryan and Webber, but they break with the majority of New Jerseyans who want their full state and local tax deduction back."

New Jersey's 11th district has drawn some high-profile endorsements on both sides of the isle. Before Ryan, President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence both endorsed Webber. For her part, Sherrill has been endorsed by former Vice President Joe Biden.

The historically Republican district could go blue for the first time in decades, political analysts say. The Cook Political report says the race is a toss up that leans Democratic, while a recent Monmouth University poll shows Sherrill having a slight, but statistically insignificant, lead.

It's not clear if involvement from other high-profile Republicans will help or hurt the Webber campaign. Twenty-eight percent of voters say Trump's endorsement makes them less likely to support Webber, while only 11 percent say it makes them more likely, a recent Monmouth University poll found.

• Read More: North Jersey Values: A Recap Of The NJ-11 Congressional Debate
• Read More: 5 Questions With Your 11th District Candidates, Webber & Sherrill

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 08: Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) speaks at the National Press Club Newsmaker event on October 8, 2018 in Washington, DC. Ryan delivered remarks on 'how Americans are 'Better Off Now,' highlighting the clear contrast between Republican policies and the Democrats' vision for America.' (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)