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Articles by Brent Johnson
Gov. Sherrill’s 6-bedroom Montclair home can be yours — for $3.5 million
Got a few million dollars? You could own the governor’s now-former home. New Jersey Gov. Mike Sherrill and her husband, First Gentleman Jason Hedberg, just placed their longtime their longtime Montclair house on the market after 16 years. This comes two months after Sherrill and her family moved full time into Drumthwacket, the official governor’s mansion in Princeton. The Montclair home is a six-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath Victorian built in 1865.
Gov. Sherrill’s approval still positive but dips, Trump’s tank in N.J., new poll shows Original
A new poll shows Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s job approval remains in positive territory about 10 months into her tenure, with nearly half of New Jersey voters signing off — though her rating has dropped over the last seven months. The change is largely because more fellow Democrats say they’re unsure about her work, according to the Fairleigh Dickinson University survey released Wednesday morning.
N.J. election: Watch our livestream today at 5 p.m. about top races, including Kean, Van Drew, Booker Original
Politics Updated: Oct. 26, 2026, 1:10 p.m. |Published: Oct. 26, 2026, 12:58 p.m. Join our YouTube livestream about New Jersey's midterm elections at 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 26.Monica Morgan and Anna Moneymaker | Getty Images | Canva Illustration Join me today at 5 p.m. to chat about New Jersey’s big elections. I’m hosting a livestream for NJ.com on YouTube to discuss the Garden State’s big races with early in-person voting already underway and Election Day just eight days away on Nov. 3.
Join our election livestream; Jersey’s on guard for Trump voting interference | Mikie’s World Original
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the latest edition of a weekly newsletter on the beginning of Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s tenure and the often-stormy politics surrounding her. You can subscribe here. The midterms and election security Early voting begins Saturday in New Jersey's elections. Among the big races: Democratic U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (left) and Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr. are running for third terms.Monica Morgan and Anna Moneymaker | Getty Images | Canva Illustration Let’s try something new, Jersey.
Fearing Trump interference, N.J. Democrats rushed an election bill. Then they pulled it. Original
Top New Jersey Democrats tried to fast-track new restrictions on federal law enforcement and military personnel at polling places this week, only to pull the legislation amid concerns from Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s office that it may not withstand a constitutional challenge.
Is this Tom Kean Jr.’s last stand? Original
The television advertisement is soft and gauzy, like a commercial for a skincare brand. Natural light shines upon smiling father and son — former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean Sr. and U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr. Both are dressed in baby blue button-downs and khakis in the ad, which kicked off Kean’s media buy in his closely watched re-election campaign in early September. They’re gathered on an outdoor porch in a dynastic moment clearly meant to evoke affection and nostalgia.
Sherrill talks frankly about Caldwell, voting scandal, 2028, Trump, affordability after 9 months | Mikie’s World
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the latest edition of a weekly newsletter on the beginning of Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s tenure and the often-stormy politics surrounding her. You can subscribe here. A new chat with Gov. Sherrill Gov. Mikie Sherrill speaks at the Statehouse in Trenton last month. Kyle Mazza for NJ.com It’s nearly been nine months on the job now for Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill. And the last few haven’t exactly been headache-free.
Sherrill talks frankly about Caldwell, voting scandal, 2028, Trump, affordability after 9 months | Mikie’s World
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the latest edition of a weekly newsletter on the beginning of Gov. Mikie Sherrill's tenure and the often-stormy politics surrounding her. You can subscribe here. A new chat with Gov. Sherrill Gov. Mikie Sherrill speaks at the Statehouse in Trenton last month. Kyle Mazza for NJ.com It's nearly been nine months on the job now for Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill. And the last few haven't exactly been headache-free.
‘What about our kids?’ Sherrill bashes Trump world for plans to live stream Fort Hood shooter’s execution.
Calling it “offensive and wrong,” New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill on Wednesday lambasted a controversial — and potentially fluid — plan by President Donald Trump’s administration to livestream the upcoming firing squad execution of the Fort Hood shooter. “I really cannot express how incredibly offensive I find it and how opposed I am,” Sherrill, a Democrat and former Navy helicopter pilot, said in a phone interview for NJ.com’s Mikie’s World newsletter.
Why top Republicans just pulled funding from this N.J. congressman’s tight re-election bid Original
Top national Republican groups are siphoning money from U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr.’s competitive re-election race in New Jersey, a potential warning sign that the party is feeling less confident about its ability to hold the seat while marshaling resources elsewhere. The Congressional Leadership Fund and President Donald Trump’s super PACs are redirecting advertising funds meant for Kean’s race and Iowa Rep.
Fierce congressional race draws two of the nation’s highest ranking congressmen to N.J. Original
The top Republican and top Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives have now trekked to New Jersey to stump in one of the nation’s hottest races in the midterm elections. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the chamber’s Democratic leader, visited a church in Linden on Friday night to campaign for Rebecca Bennett, the Democrat aiming to oust Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. in the state’s 7th congressional district.
Could a blue wave topple more than one N.J. House Republican? | Mikie’s World Original
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the latest edition of a weekly newsletter on the beginning of Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s tenure and the often-stormy politics surrounding her. You can subscribe here. Is Van Drew really in trouble? Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew is shown outside Delaney Hall in Newark in June. (Andrew Mills | NJ.com)Andrew Mills | NJ.com Eight years ago, a blue wave — a blue tsunami, really — washed across Jersey in the midterms of President Donald Trump’s first stay in the White House.
‘Get your cowboy hat on.’ Booker’s odd, cordial, Trump-focused N.J. Senate debate. Original
New Jersey’s under-the-radar U.S. Senate race was put under the spotlight Thursday night as Democratic Sen. Cory Booker and Republican opponent Justin Murphy tangled in what’s likely their only debate. Booker clashed with his much-lesser-known challenger over President Donald Trump and the Iran War (featuring some colorful comments about a “cowboy hat”). And there was an unexpected string of hair jokes in the surprisingly cordial hour-long event. It came less than a month before the Nov.
Gov. Sherrill to Mark Cuban: ‘Let’s talk’ about fixing N.J.’s health benefits plan
Gov. Mikie Sherrill is taking Mark Cuban up on his pitch, or at least picking up the phone. Two days after the billionaire entrepreneur volunteered to join Sherrill’s committee tackling New Jersey’s spiraling public-worker health care costs, the governor responded directly to him on X. “Thanks for the offer, @mcuban! I appreciate your innovative work in this space as we bring all ideas to the table,” Sherrill wrote. “No more kicking the can down the road in New Jersey.
Famous billionaire wants to help N.J. get its health benefits plan out of a ‘death spiral’ Original
A celebrity — specifically a famous “shark” — just volunteered to help Gov. Mikie Sherrill fix New Jersey’s troubled public-worker health benefits plan. Mark Cuban, the billionaire businessman, a minority owner of the Dallas Mavericks and former “Shark Tank” star, raised his hand on social media Saturday to serve on a new committee Sherrill launched last week to tackle the skyrocketing costs of health care for the state’s government workers.
Caldwell used AI in effort to dispute N.J. harassment investigation Original
Former New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell has been on a media blitz this week, seeking to clear his name after resigning amid allegations of sexual harassment and ethics violations. And in one unusual comment, Caldwell revealed that he ran his case through multiple AI apps for help.
Inside the resignation of Sherrill’s embattled No. 2 (and what’s next) | Mikie’s World Original
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the latest edition of a weekly newsletter on the beginning of Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s tenure and the often-stormy politics surrounding her. You can subscribe here. Lt. Gov. Caldwell steps down Gov. Mikie Sherrill (left) and now-former Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell (right) won last year's election and were sworn in together in January.
What N.J. thinks of Gov. Sherrill 8 months in (and after Caldwell debacle)
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s approval ratings have held relatively steady eight months into her tenure, while her handing of the recent investigation into her now-former lieutenant governor draws wide support, according to a new poll. The Rutgers-Eagleton Poll shows 44% of Garden State adults approve of the Democrat’s job performance, 24% disapprove, and 22% are unsure.
Christie, Booker, Sherrill, Kim in ’28? It’s possible | Mikie’s World Original
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the latest edition of a weekly newsletter on the beginning of Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s tenure and the often-stormy politics surrounding her. You can subscribe here. A very Jersey 2028? Clockwise from top left: Former Gov. Chris Christie, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, and Gov. Mikie Sherrill.NJ.com file photos Could the next road to the White House be sprinkl with the yellow hue of Jersey’s state flag?
The Caldwell debacle is over. But who will N.J.’s next Lt. Gov. be? Original
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill now has 45 days to pick a new second-in-command after Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resigned Friday amid scandal. Caldwell, a fellow Democrat Sherrill chose as her running mate last year, stepped down under pressure less than 24 hours after an independent investigation found he committed ethics violations and engaged in behavior that “constituted sexual harassment.” Sherrill called for him to resign Thursday when she released the 61-page report.
N.J. Lt. Gov. Caldwell will resign amid sexual harassment investigation, sources say Original
New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell will resign Friday afternoon, less than 24 hours after Gov. Mikie Sherrill called on him to do so after an investigation found he sexually harassed women and violated state ethics rules, according to three Democratic sources outside of the Sherrill administration who are familiar with the matter. Sherrill will announce the resignation at her 2:45 p.m. press conference at the Statehouse in Trenton, with more details to follow.
The 5 biggest findings in the damning Caldwell report. Here’s how to read all 61 pages. Original
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill released a 61-page report Thursday night that found her second-in-command, Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell, engaged in behavior that “constituted sexual harassment” and repeatedly violated state ethics rules. The report follows a months-long investigation of Caldwell that Sherrill’s administration ordered in May after allegations of inappropriate behavior with women. The investigation didn’t come to light until three weeks ago when media reports rocked Trenton.
Gov. Sherrill calls on Lt. Gov. Caldwell to resign after report of ‘serious, repeated’ violations Original
New Jersey Gov. Gov. Mikie Sherrill on Thursday night demanded that her handpicked second-in-command, Lt. Gov.
Christie Whitman dishes about Trump’s ‘cult,’ making history, 9/11, Sherrill | Mikie’s World Original
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the latest edition of a weekly newsletter on the beginning of Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s tenure and the often-stormy politics surrounding her. You can subscribe here. An 80th birthday talk with the GOP gov Former Gov. Christine Todd Whitman speaks during an interview Christie Whitman, pictured here in 2019 in her Tewksbury home, was Jersey's 50th governor, serving from 1994 to 2001. She was the first woman governor in state history. Current Gov.
Inside the ‘minefield’ surrounding Sherrill’s lieutenant governor investigation | Mikie’s World Original
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the latest edition of a weekly newsletter on the beginning of Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s tenure and the often-stormy politics surrounding her. You can subscribe here. A still-brewing controversy Now-Gov. Mikie Sherrill (left) and now-Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell are pictured in Trenton in November, just after winning their election in a landslide.
Lt. Gov. Caldwell sent letter denying allegations he pursued women amid ongoing investigation Original
New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell, now under internal investigation over allegations that he acted inappropriately toward women, sent a letter to the state’s ethics officer vehemently denying accusations of misconduct, according to a newly published report. Caldwell, Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s second-in-command, addressed the May 28 letter to Christine Fullam, the state’s chief ethics officer, according to a Wednesday report by business news website BINJE.
Who is Dale Caldwell? Here’s what to know about N.J.’s Lt. Gov. under investigation Original
New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell — who has served in the role for less than a year — is under an internal investigation over allegations he behaved inappropriately toward women. The scope of the inquiry is unclear. But Gov. Mikie Sherrill, whose administration launched the investigation, has hired an outside law firm to handle the probe, according to sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they’re not authorized to speak publicly.
Sherrill breaks silence on investigation into Lt. Gov. Caldwell Original
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill on Tuesday broke her silence after the revelation that her second-in-command, Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell, is the subject of an internal investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior toward women and possible ethics violations. Sherrill, a Democrat in her first year in office, did not directly address the inquiry or detail any of the accusations.
GOP demands immediate resignation of embattled N.J. Lt. Gov. Caldwell
New Jersey Republicans called on Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell to resign immediately Sunday morning while continuing to raise concerns about why internal investigation into his alleged mistreatment of women was kept secret since early spring. The call came from Republican Chairwoman Christine Giordano Hanlon, who has led the charge since Friday condemning Caldwell and Gov. Mikie Sherrill. “Let that sink in,” Hanlon said Sunday morning in a press statement.
N.J. Republicans demand answers on Lt. Gov. Caldwell probe, question his acting governor role Original
New Jersey Republicans are pressing Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s administration for answers about an internal investigation into Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell, including whether he has served as acting governor while it was being conducted. At the same time, Democratic insiders privately describe growing unease in Trenton over the unknown scope of the investigation and possible political fallout.
N.J. Lt. Gov. Caldwell under investigation for alleged inappropriate behavior toward women, sources say
New Jersey Lt. Governor Dale Caldwell was selected to be Gov. Mikie Sherrill's running mate during her campaign last year.Chris Pedota | For NJ.com New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill's administration is investigating Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell for allegedly behaving inappropriately toward women, two Democratic sources outside governor's office confirmed to NJ.com on Friday.
N.J. Lt. Gov. Caldwell under investigation for alleged inappropriate behavior toward women, sources say
Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s administration is investigating Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell for allegedly behaving inappropriately toward women, two Democratic sources outside governor’s office confirmed to NJ.com on Friday. Former state Attorney General Christopher Porrino has been tasked by the governor with leading the investigation, the sources said. Witnesses and complainents are being interviewed, according to the New Jersey Globe, which was the first to report the news.
N.J. public workers and taxpayers slammed with another massive increase in health premiums Original
State employees in New Jersey next year will pay about 13.3% more for their health insurance premiums and local public workers will pay an average of 22% more under rate plans approved Thursday. This is the fourth-consecutive year the 450,000 state, county and local government workers and retirees who belong to the State Health Benefits Program have faced double-digit premium increases.
Rob Menendez was N.J.’s ultimate nepo baby. How he survived dad’s downfall and won in landslides. Original
For most of his life, there has been a buzzing in Rob Menendez’s ears. It was there in first grade, when he earned a blue ribbon at his school science fair for showing how boats float. He only won because of his dad. In eighth grade, when he was nominated for the “Most Likely to Succeed” class superlative, there it was again. Well, you know who his father is.
Andy Kim dishes about Democrats’ midterm chances, life after Trump, Sherrill’s performance | Mikie’s World Original
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the latest edition of a weekly newsletter on the beginning of Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s tenure and the often-stormy politics surrounding her. You can subscribe here. A talk with Sen. Kim U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., shown speaking in Princeton in April, is now almost two years into his first term.AJ McDougall | For NJ.com This week, it’s Andy’s World. A few months ago, I took a break from the Mikie Sherrill focus of this newsletter to chat with another top Jersey Democrat, U.S. Sen.
Darnall OB-GYN pleads not guilty to wide range of charges stemming from alleged patient recordings
FORT HOOD — U.S. Army doctor Maj. Blaine McGraw pleaded “not guilty” in a Fort Hood courtroom Wednesday to over 200 charges and specifications of violating the military’s criminal codes, stemming from accusations that he illegally recorded videos of his patients while conducting unnecessary medical procedures. kAm|:=:E2CJ AC@D64FE@CD |2;] (:==:2> y] {:49G2C 2?5 {E] r@=] y@D9F2 $4@EE |:<<6=D6? 3C@<6 5@H? E96 aed 2==6865 @776?D6D 2E E96 962C:?8[ H9:49 E@@< A=246 :?
Is blue N.J. about to pass a voter ID law after Sherrill’s comments? | Mikie’s World
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the latest edition of a weekly newsletter on the beginning of Gov. Mikie Sherrill's tenure and the often-stormy politics surrounding her. You can subscribe here. The future of Jersey's voting laws Gov. Mikie Sherrill speaks at an event last month at the Union Baptist Church in Trenton to celebrate a new law she signed designed to increase voting rights in New Jersey.
Protestors speak out against Delaney Hall ICE ‘dungeon’ a week after detainee death
A coalition of activists gathered in front of Delaney Hall in Newark Saturday on a nationwide day of protest, speaking out against ICE and its federal immigration center a week after a detainee died. The demonstration, which drew about 40 people, was part of a series of National Day of Action protests held across the country against ICE and President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. “An injury to one is an injury to all,” said organizer Alec Courtney of Staten Island.
Is blue N.J. about to pass a voter ID law after Sherrill’s comments? | Mikie’s World
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the latest edition of a weekly newsletter on the beginning of Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s tenure and the often-stormy politics surrounding her. You can subscribe here. The future of Jersey’s voting laws Gov. Mikie Sherrill speaks at an event last month at the Union Baptist Church in Trenton to celebrate a new law she signed designed to increase voting rights in New Jersey.
What Trenton thinks about Sherrill as she hits 6 months as governor | Mikie’s World Original
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the latest edition of a weekly newsletter on the beginning of Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s tenure and the often-stormy politics surrounding her. You can subscribe here. Sherrill at the half-year mark Gov Mikie Sherrill leaves a news conference in Newark last week.Ben Ackman | For NJ.com Gov. Mikie Sherrill reached a new milestone at the start of last week.
N.J. purging voter rolls after explosive scandal. Some may have been wrongly flagged as noncitizens, gov says. Original
One week after announcing thousands of noncitizens were mistakenly registered to vote in New Jersey, Gov. Mikie Sherrill said Tuesday the state has begun removing 4,500 of those people from the voter rolls. Sherrill also announced more than 2,000 others will be referred to county election officials for further review because they may be citizens after all.
What N.J.’s voting controversy means for Sherrill, Trump, and more | Mikie’s World Original
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the latest edition of a weekly newsletter on the beginning of Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s tenure and the often-stormy politics surrounding her. You can subscribe here. Growing fallout and national debate President Donald Trump, Gov. Mikie Sherrill, and former Gov. Phil Murphy are all drawing attention over New Jersey's new voting controversy.Mandel Ngan / AFP | NJ.com file photos | Canva illustration Six months and one day since she took office, Gov.
Murphy had no idea huge glitch registered 6,600 noncitizens to vote in N.J., spokesman says Original
Former Gov. Phil Murphy had “no knowledge” of a software error that Gov. Mikie Sherrill said led to New Jersey mistakenly registering 6,600 noncitizens to vote under his watch, his spokesman said Friday. “Prior to Tuesday, Governor Murphy had no knowledge of any software glitch at the Motor Vehicle Commission that resulted in non-citizens being inadvertently added to New Jersey’s voter rolls,” Murphy spokesman Mahen Gunaratna said in a statement.
This N.J. Dem just unveiled a plan for all U.S. children to get free healthcare Original
Every child in America would be enrolled in a federal health insurance program at birth and be eligible to receive free benefits through age 26 under a proposal U.S. Sen. Andy Kim just unveiled. The New Jersey Democrat calls it MediKids, a plan that would automatically place children into Medicaid and give them 100% coverage at a time when millions of kids in the country don’t have healthcare or are under-insured.
‘Shocking and outrageous’ N.J. voting revelation leads to calls for independent probe
New Jersey was thrown headlong into the tense national debate over the integrity of elections Tuesday when Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced that roughly 6,600 noncitizens in the state were mistakenly registered to vote and fewer than 400 ultimately cast ballots. Sherrill, a first-year Democrat, said the issue was because of a software error in the state Department of Motor Vehicles' automatic voter registration system that happened under her Democratic predecessor Gov.
‘Shocking and outrageous’ N.J. voting revelation leads to calls for independent probe
New Jersey was thrown headlong into the tense national debate over the integrity of elections Tuesday when Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced that roughly 6,600 noncitizens in the state were mistakenly registered to vote. Sherrill, a Democrat, insisted that fewer than 400 of them cast ballots and no elections were swayed because of it.
Republicans are furious over undocumented immigrants voting in N.J.: ‘Shocking and outrageous’
New Jersey was thrown headlong into the tense national debate over the integrity of elections Tuesday when Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced the stunning revelation that roughly 6,6000 non-citizens in the state were mistakenly registered to vote. Sherrill said a software error at the state Motor Vehicle Commission between June 2023 and June 2024 — under the administration of her predecessor, then-Gov. Phil Murphy — was to blame and that fewer than 400 non-citizens ultimately cast ballots.
Opinion: Prop 12 hurts Iowa’s farm families
As the nation’s leading pork producing state, raising roughly one-third of the nation’s pigs, Iowa farmers are hit first and hit hardest by policy changes that can upend our industry, just as we’ve seen with California’s Prop 12 — a mandate driven more by politics than by sound veterinary science or animal-care expertise.
A top Dem and insiders break down Sherrill’s first budget, Bill Bradley celebrates the Knicks | Mikie’s World Original
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the latest edition of a weekly newsletter on the beginning of Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s tenure and the often-stormy politics surrounding her. You can subscribe here. Sherrill’s first state budget Gov. Mikie Sherrill and top Democratic lawmakers speak about the new $60.7 billuon state budget during a news conference Tuesday night in the rotunda of the New Jersey Statehouse in Trenton. Brent Johnson The first state budget under Gov. Mikie Sherrill is now in the books, Jersey.
NJ Transit promises more misery as dangerous heat plagues riders into holiday weekend Original
NJ Transit warned riders Friday morning they’re in for another day of delays and cancellations as the Fourth of July holiday weekend begins, thanks to the sweltering heat wave bearing down on the area. This comes a day after travelers dealt with a score of issues during the afternoon and evening commute Thursday as temperatures topped 100 degrees — including a lack of air conditioning on some trains, delays of more than an hour, and outright cancelations.
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