Montclair’s own Mikie Sherrill will be sworn in at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark alongside Lieutenant Governor-elect Dr. Dale Caldwell during their highly anticipated inauguration. While most of her predecessors chose to hold their swearing-in ceremonies in Trenton, Sherrill selected a local Essex County venue, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center or NJPAC, which was last used for a gubernatorial inauguration in 1998 by former Governor Christine Todd Whitman.
“For more than a year, I’ve been up and down this state and am on a mission to deliver for all New Jerseyans – lower costs, a better future for our kids, and a more transparent and accountable state government. Leadership means listening to the people about what keeps them up at night – and we will start my administration the same way we won this race, by listening and taking action for the people I serve. I couldn’t be more honored to be sworn-in as your next governor and begin my administration in the Gateway City – and as governor, I will continue showing up for Newark, Trenton, and all of New Jersey’s communities,” said the Governor-elect.
We spoke with Sherrill in November following her gubernatorial win about the fiscal challenges facing Montclair’s school district, her broad vision for New Jersey’s schools, as well as her plans to improve affordability for everyday residents. Listen to the episode below:
Essex County at the Center of the Campaign
Sherrill made Newark her first stop outside Trenton as governor-elect, visiting a local food bank to highlight her opposition to the Trump administration’s cuts to food assistance programs. In November, she helped drive Newark’s highest gubernatorial turnout since 2005, becoming only the second woman in New Jersey history to win the governor’s race and the first Democratic woman to do so.
“It is a high honor for our city to be selected to host the inauguration of Mikie Sherrill. As New Jersey’s largest city, Newark is an appropriate setting for such a momentous occasion, bringing to bear its history of immigration, diversity, and shared democratic values. As the crowning jewel of our downtown district, NJPAC always shines bright – but on January 20, it will showcase the city’s radiance for all the world to see. Newark is proud and grateful today, and looks forward to enjoying the benefits of Mikie Sherrill’s governance with all our neighbors in the Garden State,” said Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.
Additional planning and event details will be shared in the coming weeks, so be sure to tune into the Montclair Pod for updates.
