Democrat Sherill Beats Republican Webber, Flips GOP Seat In NJ

MORRISTOWN, NJ —Democrat Mikie Sherrill beat Republican Jay Webber on Tueaday, becoming the first Democrat to represent New Jersey's 11th Congressional District in nearly three decades., according to news reports.

CNN and NBC both called the race shortly before 10:00 p.m. Sherrill has 55.6 percent of the vote, besting Republican challenger Jay Webber, who has 43.3 percent as of 7:30 a.m., with 96.7 percent of precincts reporting.

Webber called Sherrill to concede before 9:50 p.m.; Sherrill began her victory speech about an hour later. You can watch a prerecorded live stream of it below.

"I swore my first oath to support our country when I was 18 years old, and ever since that day, my confidence in our democracy has never wavered. Out of the cynicism, the distrust, and the attacks on our democratic ideals, we have found what exists inside all of us: the simple truth that we love our country, that we are no longer taking our government of the people, by the people, and for the people for granted. In fact, we are going to do everything in our power to protect it," Sherrill said.

Sherrill is the first Democrat elected to represent the district since the mid-1980s, and the first woman to ever hold this seat. Her projected victory was crucial to the national Democratic party, which was counting on this district to help them regain control of the House, something they are projected to do.

A Republican stronghold for the past several decades, GOP support had been waning in the 11th District. Previously voting for Republican presidential candidates by double-digit margins, Trump won the district by just one percent, and a recent poll found that a quarter of voters were less likely to vote for Webber due to his support from Trump.

Sherrill, a former federal prosecutor and Navy pilot, has positioned herself as a moderate Democrat. She has said the new tax plan gives New Jersey the "shortest straw," and would not support "Medicaid for all." She proposed allowing students to negotiate student loan rates as a way to address the student loan crisis.

WATCH: Sherrill Acceptance Speech

Webber and Sherrill were in a dead-heat leading up to the race, with some polls and non-partisan groups giving Sherrill the edge. Recent polling by Monmouth University gave Sherrill a slight lead, albeit one well within the margin of error, while a New York Time's poll of the district showed her with a double-digit lead heading into Election Day. The Cook Political Report, a non-partisan organization that rates the competitiveness of races, also anticipated the flip, predicting that the district would lean Democrat.

"Yesterday, the Sherrill campaign received more votes than ours. I always have admired Mikie’s prior service to our country, and now I wish her well in the next phase of her life as the Representative from this district to the House of Representatives. Despite the outcome at the polls, Johanna and I want to stress to you the immense sense of gratitude we have for all of you, and for everyone who has put so much of themselves into this campaign," Webber said in a statement Wednesday morning.

The 11th district covers most of Morris County, and parts of Sussex, Essex, and Passaic Counties. Although Morris County is typically Republican, Essex County tends to lean Democratic, and a grass-roots Democratic base has been energized by President Donald Trump's election two years ago. (Of the four counties in the district, only Sussex is projected to have favored Webber over Sherrill, and she won Essex County by 31 points.)

Republicans sought to match that level of energy, with high-ranking party members campaigning on Webber's behalf, including Trump himself. Vice President Mike Pence, Speaker Paul Ryan, and Kellyann Conway have also been involved in the campaign.

That energy was not enough, with Trump, who is unpopular in the Garden State, looming in voters minds.

In one polling location, some shouted out, "Dump Trump!" while others walked in right beside them and excitedly told Patch they think Trump is doing an excellent job.

"We are total Republicans and Trump has done everything right. We're voting for Hugin," said New Jersey resident Lorraine Luzzo, 82, with her husband, Louis.

"The economy is doing well, there are jobs, patriotism is back in our country," she said.

Others had clearly different views

"President Dump, as I call him, is hands-down the worst president we've had in a long time," said New Jersey resident Steve Laspina, 64. "He is ... an embarrassment to our country. I'm embarrassed by his racist policies and what he says."

"I agree!," said a woman walking by. "He is immoral, he's terrible."

Rose manages a car dealership and voted for Republican George W. Bush ("He was actually my favorite president"), Barack Obama, Trump and Gov. Phil Murphy. He said he would have voted for Bernie Sanders if he had been the candidate against Trump.

"I just try to look at the issues. This is actually the first time I've ever voted in a midterm. But to me, the issues are too important today: Healthcare, legalizing marijuana, which I strongly support, and tax reform," he said. "I think Trump has done a good job so far. But Hugin is not for legalizing marijuana, which I support."

Images via the campaigns