InsiderNJ 100 Power List Signals Start of Sherrill Era in Trenton

The annual InsiderNJ 100 Power List, released November 18th, offers a snapshot of New Jersey politics at a moment of transition. The rankings, which track the most influential figures in state government and political circles, reflect the reality that power is already shifting from the departing Murphy administration to the incoming Sherrill team.

For eight years, Governor Phil Murphy and his allies dominated the list. Cabinet members, senior advisors, and county party chairs aligned with the administration occupied top positions, their influence flowing from proximity to the governor’s office. That era ends on January 20, 2026.

This year’s list tells a different story. Progressive Democrats who played key roles in Sherrill’s election have risen in the rankings. Operatives and advisors positioned to join her administration appear prominently. The message is clear: access to the next governor is the new currency of power in Trenton.

The transition is playing out in real time. Murphy, in his final months, has been working through a long list of nominations to state boards and commissions, placing allies in positions that will outlast his tenure. Last week alone, he submitted nearly 100 nominations, many extending the terms of current appointees while others install new faces in consequential roles.

Among the notable nominations: Mahen Gunaratna, Murphy’s communications director and longtime aide, was nominated to a seat on the Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield board of directors. The part-time position comes with an $82,000 salary, an example of how departing administrations often seek to place loyalists in positions of continued influence.

But the real action is on the other side of the transition. Sherrill has begun assembling her team, drawing from her congressional staff, the Murphy administration, and the broader Democratic talent pool. Early signals suggest she will prioritize competence and loyalty, seeking officials who can execute her agenda while maintaining the progressive policies established under Murphy.

The Power List also highlights the special role that progressive Democrats played in the 2025 election. Activists and organizers who pushed Sherrill left during the primary and then mobilized for her in the general election have earned seats at the table. Their influence reflects the energy within the party’s base, even as Sherrill positions herself as a moderate capable of appealing to suburban swing voters.

Notable figures in the rankings include Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, whose own gubernatorial ambitions were deferred when he declined to challenge Sherrill in the primary. Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo, a power broker for decades, remains a force. And the leaders of major unions, particularly the New Jersey Education Association, retain significant influence regardless of who occupies the governor’s office.

The list also serves as a reminder of the constituencies that any governor must navigate. County party chairs, legislative leaders, and major donors all appear in the rankings, their positions reflecting the transactional nature of New Jersey politics. Power flows to those who can deliver votes, raise money, or move legislation.

For political observers, the InsiderNJ 100 offers an annual benchmark of who matters in Trenton. This year’s edition captures a state between administrations, with the Murphy era winding down and the Sherrill era about to begin. By next November, the rankings will likely look quite different.

The full list is available at InsiderNJ.com.