The basics:
- Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill officially launches NJ gubernatorial transition with senior staff, transition chairs
- Ten Action Teams formed to tackle priorities, such as energy, education, health care, economic development
- Public input survey invites New Jerseyans to share concerns, guide policy decisions
- Sherrill resigns from Congress; special election scheduled to fill 11th District seat
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, change is in the air here in the great Garden State. Following a decisive election win earlier this month, Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill’s transition is in full swing.
The next governor will take the baton from Gov. Phil Murphy Jan. 20. The two met at the State House the day after the election to officially launch the transition process. Sherrill has also met with legislative leaders and other key stakeholders.
As NJBIZ reported earlier this month, Sherrill appointed some of her senior staffers, including Chief of Staff Alex Ball, as well as transition chairs. She also launched a portal that serves as a temporary hub for transition information along with offering opportunities for residents to get involved. On Nov. 21, Sherrill announced a new transition initiative to hit the ground running on Day One priorities.
The first phase includes the launch of 10 Action Teams. The groups feature a slew of experts and leaders from New Jersey (with many names NJBIZ readers will recognize) as well as nationally.
Check out the full list of policy action teams, co-chairs and members here.
The action teams will focus on top priorities for the administration, including:
- “Making Energy More Affordable and Reliable”
- “Saving You Time and Money: Getting Government to Work for New Jerseyans”
- “Kids Mental Health and Online Safety”
- “Lowering House Costs and Expanding Homeownership”
- “Transportation and Infrastructure Innovation”
- “Fiscal Responsibility and Government Accountability”
- “Delivering a Strong Education for New Jersey Children”
- “Jobs, Opportunity, and Prosperity for All”
- “Affordable Healthcare: Addressing Washington’s Medicaid Cuts”
- “Driving New Jersey Forward: Economic Development and Innovation”
Taking the pulse
“We’re bringing together experts and everyday New Jerseyans alike on a mission to deliver – by driving down costs starting with electric bills, improving state services and accountability, and protecting our kids,” said Sherrill. “These teams will embody the spirit of collaboration, creativity, and action that New Jerseyans expect form their next governor.
“I want to thank all of the volunteers investing their time to ensure my administration can hit the ground running when we take office in January.”
“Mikie Sherrill was elected with a mandate to lower costs and these action teams are getting right to work to help us hit the ground running on Day One,” said Lt.-gov. elect and Transition Chair Dale Caldwell. “We are grateful to everyone stepping up and lending their expertise and I look forward to working with them as we fight to make a real difference for the people of New Jersey.”
Sherrill has been making appearances in communities around the state ahead of the inauguration.
This week, she participated in a small business walk in Jersey City. During the event, she discussed her agenda to help small businesses start and grow in the state. Sherrill also heard directly from small business owners as well as community members.
Public forum
On Nov. 25, she visited the Silk Cafe in Paterson to launch a statewide public input survey. Available through the official transition website, the forum invites all New Jerseyans to share their ideas, concerns and priorities.
Sherrill says that the survey will help guide her administration’s development of policy recommendations. It will also support its focus on making the state a “more affordable, accessible, and opportunity-driven place to live.”
“As we begin our work, I want to hear directly from the people of New Jersey,” said Sherrill. “Our state is full of families, workers, educators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders with firsthand experience navigating our state government. Their insights will help us build a government that is collaborative, creative, and laser-focused on affordability.
“This survey is one of the many ways we intend to ensure that every voice has a place in shaping our administration, and in shaping New Jersey’s future.”
Offer your thoughts on the public input survey here.
The transition team says the Actions Teams and Interdisciplinary Task Force will review feedback from the survey.
“Gov-elect Sherrill is committed to opening the doors of state government wider than ever before,” said Caldwell. “This survey allows New Jerseyans to share what’s working, what isn’t, and what they want to see from their state government moving forward.”
Caldwell announced the appointment of his incoming chief of staff, Nabila Baptiste, Nov. 25.
“The Sherrill-Caldwell administration is taking a ‘get to yes’ mindset to governing – looking for creative, practical solutions driven by the experiences of everyday New Jerseyans,” said Kellie Doucette, executive director of the transition team. “The feedback we receive will directly inform our work and help ensure we are prioritizing what matters most to residents across all of our 21 counties.”
Passing the baton
Sherril has also made appearances at perennial major New Jersey events, such as last week’s League of Municipalities Conference in Atlantic City as well as the New Jersey Hall of Fame inductions Nov. 21.
“New Jerseyans are what make this state such a special place,” Sherrill wrote on X about the NJ Hall of Fame ceremony. “I was honored to celebrate this year’s inductees into the @NJHallofFame this evening and share a few words about why I’m so excited to serve as your next governor.”
New Jerseyans are what make this state such a special place. I was honored to celebrate this year’s inductees into the @NJHallofFame this evening and share a few words about why I’m so excited to serve as your next governor. pic.twitter.com/6sLr0eDskq
— Mikie Sherrill (@MikieSherrill) November 22, 2025
“I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to be passing the baton to Mikie Sherrill and our next Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell,” said Murphy during his final Keynote Address at the League of Municipalities Conference in AC. “As Mikie and Dale will soon discover: Serving as governor and serving as lieutenant governor of the great Garden State are the best jobs in the world – and the highest honors.
“And today, as I approach my final weeks in office, I have a simple message to all of you who lead our state’s 564 municipalities: Thank you.”
Changing places
Sherrill officially resigned from her 11th district Congressional seat Nov. 20.
“It has been an honor to serve you in Congress for the past seven years,” Sherrill wrote to her constituents. “Tonight, I will be resigning my seat in advance of becoming New Jersey’s 57th governor. From cosponsoring my first bill in Congress to combat gun violence, to casting my last vote in the House demanding lower health care costs for New Jerseyans, my north star has been to fight for you.
“I’ve taken your comments and concerns from emails, town halls, and calls to my offices and used them to push for real change in Congress. I’m proud to have secured funding for Picatinny Arsenal, funded and broke ground on the Gateway Tunnel, passed the PACT Act to provide health care for veterans, capped the price of insulin, and slashed through red tape on critical flood mitigation projects.
Thank you for placing your trust in me to represent our community in Congress, and I look forward to continue serving you in Trenton.
— Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill
“This office will continue to operate and serve the constituents of New Jersey’s 11th District. Please continue to reach out for assistance with federal agencies, U.S. Capitol tour and flag requests, and other constituent services.
“Thank you for placing your trust in me to represent our community in Congress, and I look forward to continue serving you in Trenton.”
Ballot box
Murphy issued a writ for special election to fill Sherrill’s vacancy in the 11th Congressional District Nov. 21.
Under the order, a special primary election will take place Feb. 5, 2026. A special general election will follow on April 16, 2026. The former will offer six days of in-person early voting (Jan. 29–Feb. 3). Meanwhile, the general will include nine days of in-person early voting (April 6–April 14).
The race has already drawn a slew of notable candidates throwing their name in the ring. The filing deadline hits Dec. 1.
As the winds of change blow here in Jersey, expect a ton of activity on the transition and beyond coming out of the Thanksgiving holiday. Please stay with NJBIZ for all of the very latest.
