Overview
- Sherrill’s House resignation took effect at midnight after she won the New Jersey governorship earlier this month.
- The primary is set for Feb. 5, with candidates required to file by Dec. 1 and submit 500 valid signatures to qualify.
- Democrats face a crowded field, with Gov. Phil Murphy backing Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill and Sen. Andy Kim endorsing former Rep. Tom Malinowski.
- Republicans criticized the compressed timeline, as the NRCC said the filing window benefits Democratic insiders; Randolph Mayor Joe Hathaway is the only GOP candidate to declare so far.
- The district leans Democratic, with Inside Elections rating it Solid Democratic after Sherrill’s 15-point win last year and a 9-point edge for Kamala Harris in 2024.