By: Michael Matthews | Publish Date: April 14th, 2026
Filing Sherrill’s Seat
On Thursday, April 16, a special election will be held in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District. Governor Mikie Sherrill spent the week moving between governing demands and the party politics in the district that she once represented. She returned to the campaign trail, headlining the Get Out The Vote rally in Glen Ridge for Democratic candidate Analilia Mejia. With early voting already underway, Sherrill’s involvement signals an effort to shape the outcome of her former district. Mejia and Republican Joe Hathaway offered very different visions during their April 1 debate, with different views on the district’s future.
One of the issues where their opinions differ significantly is immigration and the future of U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Mejia has called for abolishment of ICE. She argues that the agency is beyond reform and has engaged in misconduct, such as conducting raids without warrants. Hathaway opposes abolishing ICE, arguing that doing so would weaken public safety and that the agency is necessary for border security. He supports strengthening ICE and believes that local law enforcement should cooperate with immigration officials.
Legislation
On Wednesday, Governor Sherrill signed a nuclear regulatory bill that she says will effectively lift a 40-year moratorium on nuclear development in New Jersey. The moratorium was imposed by a 1970’s-era law. It required that a permanent federal solution for radioactive waste disposal exist before new plants could receive permits. The bill signed positions nuclear power as part of the state’s clean energy strategy. The administration is framing it as a path toward stabilizing long-term energy costs and at the same time, meeting environmental goals.
Governor Sherrill’s Statement Regarding Shooting in Union Township
On Saturday night, one person was killed and six others were injured at Chick-fil-A on Route 22 in Union Township, Union County, New Jersey, a mere ten-minute drive away from Kean University. The six injured did not receive life threatening injuries. Police believe the shooting was not random and may have been targeted.
Governor Sherrill released a statement: “I have been briefed on the shooting last night in Union Township…law enforcement continues their investigation.”
The victim has been identified, but the perpetrators are still at large. There is a $10,000 reward for anybody with information.
Check in next Tuesday afternoon, after the election, for results and more news about Governor Sherill’s week.
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