The FFRF Action Fund is pleased to endorse Mikie Sherrill in her bid for New Jersey governor.
Sherrill, a current U.S. representative from New Jersey and former naval officer, is running to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy in the November election. She faces Republican Jack Ciattarelli, a businessman and former New Jersey state representative, in the race.
The New Jersey gubernatorial race is one of two such contests this year and has garnered national interest from both Democratic and Republican leaders. The election could be considered an early test of the voter attitudes toward the second Trump administration ahead of next year’s midterms. While New Jersey is primarily seen as a blue state, Republicans have frequently won gubernatorial seats. Affordability, housing and immigration are the top issues among New Jersey voters.
Sherrill supports enshrining the right to abortion in New Jersey’s Constitution to permanently protect reproductive freedom. She would also work to expand access to contraception and IVF services. In contrast, Ciattarelli supports the defunding of Planned Parenthood, opposes the use of public funds for abortion care and would direct public funds to anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers. Gov. Murphy is currently involved in a legal battle with a group of these centers, following a state investigation into their deceptive advertising tactics aimed at luring pregnant women who might need an abortion.
Ciattarelli supports pregnancy timeline limits on abortion and wants to implement parental notification for minors seeking abortions. New Jersey currently has very protective abortion policies: Abortion is not restricted based on pregnancy timeline limits, state Medicaid covers abortion and private health insurance plans are required to include abortion coverage. The November election could drastically change the abortion landscape in New Jersey.
Ciattarelli has also signaled his intention to further New Jersey’s school choice program, modeling it after Florida’s expansive school voucher program. He recently spoke at a Moms for Liberty rally, pledging to strengthen religious homeschooling and parental rights. Sherrill is the clear pick for New Jersey governor to protect the constitutional separation of state and church.
Please learn more about Sherrill by visiting her campaign website here.