Entering our Governor Mikie Era

Hi John,

On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Mikie Sherrill was sworn in as New Jersey's 57th governor! Mikie didn’t just win New Jersey—she made it look inevitable. And with your help, we were able to flip Morris blue, winning the county by a 2.8% margin, and this narrow, but strategically vital edge, helped secure her statewide victory. 

A former Navy helicopter pilot, federal prosecutor, and our very own CD11 congresswoman, Mikie, ran a campaign built on credibility, discipline, and relentless hustle. She enters the governor’s mansion not just as a battle-tested leader, but as only the second woman ever—and the first Democratic woman—to hold the office, making her win historic as well as decisive.

And she’s not going it alone: Dr. Dale Caldwell joins her lieutenant governor, bringing decades of public service and deep community roots to the position as the first Reverend Lt. Governor in New Jersey. Together, we know they’re the kind of team New Jersey can actually trust to run the state—smart, serious, and unapologetically effective.

• Read Mikie Sherrill’s Inauguration Speech
• Read Dr. Dale Caldwell’s Inauguration Speech

DOWNBALLOT HIGHLIGHTS

LD25: Morristown’s Dr. Marisa Sweeney delivered one of the biggest upsets of the 2025 cycle, flipping a long-held Republican seat in Morris County’s 25th Legislative District and winning her first term in the General Assembly. Sweeney finished as the top vote-getter in the four-way race, unseating two-term Republican Christian Barranco and becoming the first Democrat elected from LD-25 in decades. Her running mate, Steve Pylypchuk, also ran a strong race in Morris County, but ultimately fell short after weaker returns in West Milford, where Republican margins widened and tipped the second seat back to the GOP. Sweeney’s win, alongside Republican incumbent Aura Dunn, marks a historic Democratic breakthrough and underscores growing down-ballot momentum in Morris County.

LD21: Andrew Macurdy and Vinnie Kearney pulled off a standout victory in New Jersey’s 21st Legislative District, flipping two Republican seats that had long been held by incumbents and helping push the Assembly further into Democratic hands. In a district that stretches across parts of Union, Somerset, Morris, and Middlesex counties, the pair unseated Republican Assemblywomen Nancy Muñoz and Michele Matsikoudis, marking a significant shift in local political dynamics and reflecting broader trends toward Democratic gains this cycle. Macurdy, a former state and federal prosecutor, and Kearney, a Garwood councilmember with deep community ties, ran campaigns rooted in local engagement and pragmatic solutions, resonating with voters who had long favored Republican representation. Their wins not only change the face of LD‑21’s delegation but also underscore growing competitiveness in suburban districts traditionally held by the GOP. 

VICTORY IN MCDC’S TARGET RACE! In Parsippany‑Troy Hills, a community long known for hard-fought, competitive local politics, 2025’s election delivered a historic shift as Pulkit Desai won the mayor’s seat and Democrats captured a majority on the township council for the first time in 40 years. Desai’s victory came by just 80 votes, once again highlighting that every door knocked and every call made! Newly elected council members Matt Kavanagh and Diya Patel—a Gen Z newcomer and the youngest person ever to be elected to in Parsippany—take the dais alongside Judy Hernandez, a respected councilwoman whose leadership and community roots helped anchor this breakthrough. Together, this new leadership team reflects Parsippany voters’ appetite for change and sets the stage for bold ideas and fresh energy in township government.

ADDITIONAL RED TO BLUE FLIPS

• Boonton Town Council: Kimberly Mazzei & Luisa F. Lopez
• Mendham Borough Council: Chris Neff 
• Mine Hill Council: Gary F. Colucci, Dina Cuccaro & Adam Trematore 
• Rockaway Twp Council: Susan Royek & Sophia Freire
• Wharton Council: Jennifer Hobbs & Marisa Gonzalez 

ADDITIONAL DEMOCRATIC SEATS HELD

• Boonton Town Council: Danielle R Cascone
• Chatham Borough Council: Miles Gilmore & Karen Koronkiewicz
• Chatham Twp Committee: Mike Choi & Stacey Ewald
• Dover Town Council: Daniella Mendez, Judy Rugg, Christopher Almada & Arturo Santana
• Madison Council: Debra Coen & Thomas Haralampoudis
• Mendham Township Committee: Lauren Spirig
• Morris Plains Borough Council: Nancy Verga & Michael J Ivey
• Morris Township Committee: Jeff Grayzel
• Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty and Council Nathan Umbriac, David Silva & Toshiba Foster
• Rockaway Township Council: Jonathan Sackett & Emanuel Friedlander
• Victory Gardens Borough Council: James Glass & Norberto Suarez

THE CD11 SPECIAL ELECTION

Mikie Sherrill’s election as governor set off a chain reaction in New Jersey politics, leaving her congressional seat vacant and triggering a special election to fill the remainder of her term. Voters in the 11th Congressional District will now choose a successor in a February Democratic primary, followed by an April special election, with the winner serving out Sherrill’s unexpired term through 2026.

Because of this, on Sunday, December 14, 2025, the Morris County Democratic Committee held a Special Nomination Convention to endorse a candidate for the CD11 special election primary on February 5, 2026. All registered Democrats were welcome to attend, but voting was limited to County Committee members, municipal chairs, Democratic elected officials, state committee members, county E-Board members, and caucus chairs who live in the district.

Voting was conducted online using ranked-choice voting via Election Buddy, with each eligible member receiving one secret ballot after candidate speeches. Before the vote, MCDC implemented a Screening Committee to evaluate candidates on policy, organization, and fundraising. Candidates submitted written questionnaires and participated in interview videos to help inform delegates before the convention. The process was designed to be transparent, fair, and thoughtful, giving both members and voters the information they need to make informed decisions.

SPECIAL NOMINATING CONVENTION SUMMARY

Voting period: December 14-15, 2025 (Eastern Time)

Ballots cast: 463 of 520 eligible ( 89.04%)

RESULTS:

• After 9 rounds of ranked-choice voting, Tom Malinowski won the MCDC Special Election Nominating Convention endorsement.

KEY DYNAMICS:

• Malinowski led from the first round (about 41%) and steadily gained support as candidates were eliminated.
• Brendan Gill consistently held second place through most rounds.
• Analilia Mejia consolidated progressive support in later rounds but did not overtake Gill or Malinowski.

“Our members heard from an impressive field of candidates,” said MCDC Chairwoman Darcy Draeger. “Ranked choice voting allowed us to select the person with the broadest support across our diverse membership. We are proud to endorse Tom Malinowski for this seat.”

FINAL ROUND RESULTS:

(1) ENDORSED CANDIDATE

Tom Malinowski: 235 votes (52.69%)

Former U.S. Representative

(2) Brendan Gill : 131 votes (29.37%)

Essex County Commissioner

(3) Analilia Mejia: 80 votes (17.94%)

Former Bernie Sanders advisor 

REMAINING CANDIDATES:

• John Bartlett, Passaic County Commissioner
• Zach Beecher, Morristown resident & Army Reserve member
• J L Cauvin, Attorney and comedian
• Cammie Croft, Communications specialist & former Obama admin staffer
• Jeff Grayzel, Councilman & former Mayor (Morris Twp)
• Justin Strickland, Chatham Twp Council
• Tahesha Way, former Lt. Governor of NJ
• Anna Lee Williams, Community activist

Withdrawn: Marc Chaaban, Dean Dafis

CD11 SPECIAL ELECTION VOTING INFORMATION

On Thursday, February 5, 2026, New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District will hold a Special Democratic Primary Election to fill the seat vacated by Governor Mikie Sherrill.

Early voting runs from January 29 to February 3, 2026, giving Democrats multiple opportunities to participate and help determine who advances to the Special General Election on April 16, 2026.

CD11 SPECIAL ELECTION VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

The February 5th Special Primary Election is approaching quickly and Team Tom is working to talk to as many voters as possible. Join us to speak to your neighbors about why you're supporting Tom to replace Mikie Sherrill in Congress.

Join neighbors in Randolph on Sat, Jan 24, from 2:00-4:00pm, for some light refreshments, good conversation, and the opportunity to hear from Tom Malinowski and his campaign for NJ11.

Morris County Democratic Committee
11 Washington St
Morristown, NJ 07960
United States

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