New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill asserted on Saturday that her state remains a Democratic stronghold as she prepared for a campaign event with former President Barack Obama, seemingly dismissing any Republican momentum.
“New Jersey is not a red state. I love you guys, but New Jersey is not a red state,” Sherrill told her supporters while in a tight race against Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli as Election Day approaches.
“I’ve got some even better news, guys. New Jersey is not a purple state… New Jersey is a blue state! That’s right. That is right. I have seen the polling numbers, guys. I’ve seen it. I’ve seen it. So when we vote, we win,” Sherrill emphasized. “Let’s get out every vote and let’s show them the power of labor!”
A recent Fox News poll indicates Sherrill leading Ciattarelli by 52% to 45% as the campaign nears its conclusion. Her seven-point advantage is just beyond the poll’s margin of sampling error. Earlier this month, Sherrill was ahead by five points, and in September, she led by eight points.
According to the same poll, among voters who express extreme enthusiasm about voting this year, Ciattarelli leads by five points; however, among those who are either extremely or very enthusiastic, Sherrill holds a four-point lead. This is attributed to a higher percentage of Republicans (52%) feeling extremely enthusiastic compared to Democrats (40%).
Obama is scheduled to campaign in Norfolk, Virginia, earlier on Saturday for Abigail Spanberger, a former House Democrat running against Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in the gubernatorial race there.
Following that, the former president will travel to Newark, New Jersey, for an event with Sherrill. Obama has endorsed both candidates.
Sherrill also took the opportunity to criticize former President Donald Trump during her campaign event, stating, “We’re looking at a president of the United States that’s destroying jobs, who’s destroying our economy, who’s running a worldwide extortion racket so he can charge us all more money while he pockets billions of dollars.”
“That’s not the way we want to run New Jersey. That’s not — we don’t want no king. That’s right. That is right. So that’s why I’m running for governor,” she added.
“It’s not too much to ask to invest in workers. It’s not too much to ask to get a good wage. And so I have to tell you, it’s all on the line here. There are only two states in the nation with these races. New Jersey and Virginia,” Sherrill concluded.
Fox News’ Dana Blanton contributed to this report.
