NJ Politics Briefing: Sherrill Approval, CD-11 Primary 2026

Governor Mikie Sherrill is starting her tenure with approval numbers that most politicians would envy. A GQR polling memo released this week shows 83 percent of New Jersey Democratic primary voters view her favorably, with just 5 percent holding an unfavorable opinion. Those numbers put her well ahead of most national and statewide Democrats at comparable points in their careers.

The polling reflects real political strength heading into what will be a consequential stretch for New Jersey’s new governor. Sherrill, who represented the 11th Congressional District before winning the governorship, now returns to that district’s political world as several candidates compete to succeed her in Congress.

The CD-11 race is shaping up as one of the more closely watched congressional primaries in the state this spring. Two candidates drawing attention ahead of the June primary are Mike Hathaway and Milagares Mejia. Hathaway has framed his candidacy around his experience as a mayor and a parent, arguing those dual perspectives would translate into effective representation in Washington. Mejia has staked out a more progressive platform, calling for expanded voting access and for abolishing and replacing Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The League of Women Voters canceled a planned debate after failing to reach an agreement with Mejia’s campaign.

The CD-7 race is also drawing scrutiny. Reports this week surfaced that frontrunner Simonida Bennett spent her early years as a Republican before switching parties. That kind of biography typically draws sharp attention in a Democratic primary, and it figures to become a line of attack as the race heats up.

Meanwhile, a contested commission race in Passaic County is adding to the crowded primary calendar. Candidate Aljarrah released a transit platform this week, staking out ground on an issue that resonates deeply across North Jersey.

Beyond the political back-and-forth, several bread-and-butter issues are creating real pressure on New Jersey residents and local governments.

NJ Transit’s CEO acknowledged this week that the price tag for the Glassboro-Camden rail line remains daunting. That project has been a priority for South Jersey advocates for years, but cost concerns keep stalling progress. With federal transportation funding already under stress from Washington, the path forward for that line looks uncertain.

The affordability squeeze on Jersey suburbs is getting harder to ignore. Reports show prices in some suburban markets have surpassed certain New York City levels, squeezing out working families who moved to New Jersey precisely to escape the city’s costs. That trend has direct policy implications for the Sherrill administration, which will need to address housing supply as one of its defining challenges.

Wildfire response is also becoming a priority after a recent stretch of damaging fires across the state. New Jersey opened its first new fire tower in 78 years this week, a marker of how seriously officials are taking the elevated risk. Separately, the state’s bald eagle population is taking a hit from the avian flu, with nests down 5 percent statewide.

On the county level, Morris County adopted a $407 million budget, while Mercer County introduced its own spending plan. Ocean County’s Justice Complex faces $1.1 million in flood damage repairs, and Union County is moving to update its hazard mitigation plan. Those local budget pressures reflect the broader fiscal strain that federal policy shifts are creating for governments up and down the state.

In Chatham Borough, residents pushed back against a proposed housing development, a scene playing out in suburbs across New Jersey as communities wrestle with state pressure to build more units. In Cherry Hill, a school district took the legally unusual step of suing a resident over OPRA requests, raising immediate questions about transparency and the public’s right to government records.

Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo pulled in a large fundraising haul following a bipartisan event, a sign that even in a polarized moment, crossover politics still carries currency in parts of the state.

New Jersey is never short on political activity, but this spring’s primary season is stacking up as particularly layered. Congressional races, local budget fights, housing battles, and a popular new governor all converging at once makes for a demanding few months ahead for anyone paying attention to where the state is headed.