There really are no stupid questions.
Republican New Jersey gubernatorial hopeful Jack Ciattarelli is blanketing the airwaves with an ad accusing his Democratic rival, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, of having “no plans” for the Garden State after she hemmed and hawed when asked about her legislative priorities in an interview earlier this year.
Sherrill (D-NJ) seemed stumped for a few seconds when she was asked by CBS New York’s Marcia Kramer during the May 4 sitdown about the one law she would like to enact.
“I would love — that’s a really good question, ’cause there’s so many that are coming to mind right now,” the congresswoman replied, stalling for about 18 seconds.
Eventually, Sherrill replied with a vague pitch for a federal block grant program to help New Jersey with “key programs,” including ones in the “health care area” — which she would have no control over from Drumthwacket.
“You’re kidding me, right? You want to be governor, and you can’t answer that question,” Ciattarelli jabbed in the attack ad. “We have skyrocketing electric bills in a state people can’t afford. We need to fix New Jersey. I will.”
The scathing spot highlighted bleak headlines about how the Garden State has the highest property taxes in the country, while New Jersey students were among the worst in the country at improving their math scores between 2019 and 2024.
The spot is part of a $1.3 million ad buy from the Ciattarelli campaign with fewer than two months to go before the Nov. 4 election.
“[Sherrill is] not a serious candidate, with no real plans,” Ciattarelli chided on X. “Even Democrats have denounced her and endorsed my candidacy. New Jersey can’t afford more of the same. It’s time to fix the state we all love. When I’m Governor, we will put families first and get NJ back on track!”
The Sherrill campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The New Jersey Democrat has previously dealt with verbal flubs on the campaign trail. In the same month as the Kramer interview, radio host Charlamagne tha God grilled Sherrill over the explosion of her net worth during her time in Congress.
“I, I, uh, also don’t trade individual stocks,” Sherrill replied at the time. “It’s been widely reported. I’ve, uh, I, my husband doesn’t trade, we don’t trade individual stocks.
“I don’t think anyone in Congress should, quite frankly.”
The questioning was inspired by a report from the Washington Free Beacon that Sherrill’s husband, Jason Hedberg, netted some $7 million from stock trading. Sherrill had to pay a $400 late fee in 2021 for failing to promptly disclose stock trades as mandated by federal law.
Sherrill is the clear frontrunner in the New Jersey gubernatorial race, averaging an 8.8 percentage point lead over Ciattarelli in the latest RealClearPolitics polling average.
