New Jersey Governor Supports Veteran Candidates to Help Guide Party's Future
With important midterm elections on the horizon, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill is stepping onto the national stage. She wants to help fellow members of her political party who have military experience win tough election contests across the country. By supporting these candidates, she also hopes to help guide the direction of her party before the next presidential election.
Sherrill is using her political action committee, called the Mission to Deliver PAC, to announce a first group of key endorsements. This group is backing 13 candidates who have backgrounds in the military or national security. These candidates are running for seats in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
A Focus on Military and National Security Backgrounds
The list of supported candidates includes a mix of current leaders and new challengers running in highly competitive areas. Some of the notable names on the list include:
- Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, who is running for a Senate seat.
- Don Davis of North Carolina and Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, who are running in competitive districts.
- Former Representative Elaine Luria of Virginia.
- JoAnna Mendoza of Arizona.
- Eileen Laubacher and Jessica Killin of Colorado.
- Bale Dalton of Florida.
- Zach Dembo of Kentucky.
- Rebecca Bennett of New Jersey.
- Cait Conley of New York.
- Maura Sullivan of New Hampshire.
- Nancy Lacore, a retired Navy Vice Admiral running in South Carolina.
Many of these candidates are trying to win seats currently held by the opposing party. Supporting these specific individuals is part of a larger plan to help candidates with proven leadership skills and public service experience get elected.
Raising Money and Traveling to Key States
The political action committee has already raised a significant amount of money to help these candidates. Between late last year and the middle of this year, the group brought in just under $1.2 million in donations. A large portion of this money came from groups representing labor unions.
In addition to financial support, there are plans to campaign heavily in important swing states. Travel plans include visits to support candidates in several key areas, such as:
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- Texas
- Wisconsin
The Value of Military Service in Leadership
Sherrill, who is a former Navy helicopter pilot and graduate of the Naval Academy, believes that military experience is a valuable asset for political leaders. She points out that these candidates have taken oaths to protect the country and understand what it means to work together to complete a mission.
In her view, sending veterans to the nation's capital means sending people who are ready to face tough challenges and are not afraid to change how things are run. She has also contrasted these candidates with the former president, pointing out that he did not serve in the military. She has been critical of his past military decisions, such as actions involving Iran, arguing that those choices put troops in danger for personal reasons rather than the country's best interests.
Recruiting veterans is a familiar strategy for her party. Moderate voters and independent voters often favor candidates with military backgrounds, making them strong contenders in close races.
Shaping the Future of the Party
This move is also about building a stronger national presence. After serving in Congress, Sherrill became governor of New Jersey. Now, she is part of a group of governors who want to help decide where their party goes next, especially after recent election losses.
By helping these candidates win now, she can build a network of allies and gain influence before the next presidential nominating process begins. When asked about her goals, she shared that she wants to play an active role in choosing the party's next presidential nominee. Her goal is to ensure that future leaders focus on creating opportunities for families and building a strong future for children.