Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

New Jersey sets April 2026 special election as Sherrill resigns House seat ahead of inauguration

[byline]

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Democratic Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill resigned from her seat in the U.S. House and the current governor on Friday set special election dates to fill her position for next year.

The resignation was expected ahead of her inauguration as the state’s 57th governor on Jan. 20. Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy set the primary for Feb. 5 and the special general election for April 16.

There are already more than half a dozen Democrats vying to succeed Sherrill in New Jersey’s 11th District, which she’s represented since winning election in 2018. At least one Republican is running.

The district, which includes parts of Essex, Morris and Passaic counties in northern New Jersey, had long been held by Republicans but became increasingly friendly to Democrats during President Donald Trump’s first administration.

Sherrill won the governorship earlier this month, defeating Republican Jack Ciattarelli by double digits in a state that hadn’t elected the same party to the governorship three straight times in six decades.

New Jersey sets April 2026 special election as Sherrill resigns House seat ahead of inauguration | iNFOnews.ca
New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill talks to reporters during a news conference in Trenton, N.J., Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.