Two potential New Jersey governor hopefuls win reelection to House

Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Mikie Sherrill are expected to join a growing field of Democratic gubernatorial campaigns next year. (Photos by Kevin Dietsch/)

Two members of New Jersey's House delegation expected to launch gubernatorial campaigns next year won new terms in Congress Tuesday, the Associate Press projected.

The victories will give Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-05) a fifth term in Congress and Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11) a fourth.

Gottheimer defeated GOP challenger Mary Jo Guinchard, while Sherrill overcame a challenge from Joseph Belnome.

Both Gottheimer and Sherrill are expected to join a growing field of Democratic gubernatorial campaigns next year. Gov. Phil Murphy, the incumbent, is barred by statute from seeking a third consecutive term.

Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, former state Sen. Steve Sweeney, and New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller have all announced they are seeking the Democratic nomination for governor in 2025.

Gottheimer joined the House in 2016 after defeating then-Rep. Scott Garrett. Sherrill joined two years later amid a blue wave that saw Democrats win 11 of the state's 12 House seats.

Both the 5th and 11th districts were made significantly more Democratic after a commission approved a new congressional map in late 2021.