Sherrill backs Russo in Morristown bid for county seat

MORRISTOWN, N.J. - Gov. Mikie Sherrill addressed a crowd of approximately 100 people at Hops Craft Bar on Saturday to support Democrat Chris Russo, who is seeking a seat on the Morris County Board of Commissioners.

Sherrill, who launched her first political run for Congress in this town eight years ago, was introduced by local organizers as "Our Mikie." She described the area as the central location where her administration has driven policy changes in the state.

The race for the commissioner position is the sole Democratic candidate on a seven-member board. Democratic leaders view the seat as a primary target to end a 53-year absence from the office, noting that the party last held a commission or freeholder seat in 1973.

Sherrill characterized the open seat as the "white whale" for local Democrats. She indicated that current polling suggests a strong chance for victory, pointing out that the three Democratic commission candidates in the previous election lost by a margin of roughly 5,000 votes.

"Getting closer and closer," Sherrill said regarding the party's progress in the county.

The governor connected the local race to national trends, stating that Democrats currently face the worst federal government in history. She argued that a wave of Democratic victories in the November elections would limit President Donald Trump's agenda and position the party for the 2028 cycle.

Sherrill credited her 2025 gubernatorial victory with initiating the current national momentum. While speaking to her former constituents in Congressional District 11, she also highlighted challengers in other districts, predicting that Rebecca Bennett in District 7 and Zack Mullock in District 2 can unseat incumbents Tom Kean Jr. and Jeff Van Drew.