Secure pensions, respect for educators, thriving schools
By Aiat Oraby
Candidate for governor, had an upbringing deeply rooted in service and commitment. Influenced by her grandfather, a World War II veteran, she chose to serve her country through military service because she aspired to make a lasting impact on the world around her. That aspiration continues to this day.
After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1994 as part of the pioneering class of women eligible for combat roles on ships and aircraft, Sherrill dedicated nearly a decade to serving as a Navy helicopter pilot.
After her military service, she earned a law degree and joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey. As an outreach and reentry coordinator, she established trust between law enforcement and the community, empowering individuals transitioning out of prison to secure housing, education and jobs. Later, as an assistant U.S. attorney, she took on the responsibility of prosecuting federal cases to enhance community safety and worked diligently to remove illegal firearms from the streets.
Sherrill made history in 2018 when, during her first campaign for Congress, she flipped New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District. That shift from red to blue that represented the most substantial electoral change in the nation that year.
In Congress, she passionately advocates for issues that affect families in her district. At home, she and her husband share responsibility for raising four children. She understands the struggles families face with rising grocery and child care costs and works tirelessly to alleviate that burden for New Jerseyans.
Protecting educator pensions
For generations, as teachers and educational support professionals, we have poured our hearts into educating and nurturing New Jersey’s children. In return, we were promised dignity in retirement through a fair and reliable pension. That is a commitment we rely on, but for NJEA members—especially those hired after June 28, 2011—that promise has been compromised.
The changes imposed during the Christie administration by Ch. 78 created an unfair multi-tiered system. Nearly half of all current NJEA members are now in Tier 5 of the Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) or the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). They face the reality of working much longer for significantly lower benefits. Even those who have devoted 25 or more years to their profession encounter harsh penalties if they wish to retire before age 65.
Sherrill indicated her support for legislation already passed that would move staff who, because of a break in service of more than two years were moved from Tier 1 to Tier 5, back into Tier 1. As of press time, that legislation awaits Gov. Phil Murphy’s signature.
She noted that Murphy’s five consecutive years of full pension funding have not only made a more secure pension for members, but have raised New Jersey’s credit rating. She pledges to continue fully funding the pension.
“A pension is a promise,” she affirms. “And I will always fight to ensure that promise is kept, as I believe it reflects our commitment to those who serve our children.”
On her campaign website, Sherrill recognizes the plight of retirees who have gone without a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in their pension for more than a decade and how fully funding the pension can put the state on a path to restoring it.
“I am committed to fully funding our pension system to guarantee that working families can retire with security and dignity,” she writes. “As part of this commitment, I will work to increase the pension’s funded ratio so that retirees can again see cost-of-living adjustments.”
Her advocacy extends to protecting critical federal programs such as Social Security and Medicare.
Strong public schools for every student
New Jersey is proud to have the top ranked public schools in the nation, but Sherrill recognizes that this excellence isn’t experienced equally in all communities.
“I see my number one job as governor is making sure every child has access to a great public school education,” Sherrill says. “I’m pleased that we have one of the best education systems in the nation, but there are so many kids that aren’t receiving the same type of education that we see in some of our best schools. It still feels like it’s by ZIP code in too many places.”
Sherrill knows from conversations with mental health experts and educators that students have to arrive at school ready to learn, which means making sure they can get enough sleep, that they aren’t hungry and that they feel safe on the way to school. Those are things that educators can’t always control but the state, with good leadership, can help by making smart investments to support families and communities.
As a mother of four teenagers, her insights come from her own lived experience. Throughout her time in Congress, she has fought to restore federal funding, ensuring that schools could reopen safely after the pandemic. She also introduced legislation focused on providing high-quality tutoring for students who are struggling with learning loss.
With staff shortages growing more critical every year, Sherrill recognizes the importance of creating pathways to careers in education even while students are still in school themselves. High school students who are able, for example, to offer tutoring to younger students may discover that a career in education is for them. They could potentially earn college credits for that work, defraying some of the cost of college.
She also stresses the importance of recruiting educators who understand the experiences of the students they serve. She champions efforts to get more people of color and more Spanish speakers into New Jersey classrooms to improve outcomes for all students.
Sherrill notes that New Jersey’s school funding formula, the School Funding Reform Act (SFRA), was underfunded and largely disregarded for many years. Attempts to restore fair school funding after years of neglect have been disruptive in many places, with some schools left scrambling to deal with steep and often unanticipated cuts in state aid to schools.
“What we’ve seen now as the formula starts to run are huge swings,” Sherrill says. “We need to modernize and stabilize SFRA.”
As governor, Sherrill seeks to expand preschool and kindergarten programs. She is committed to increasing the number of school counselors and psychologists, recognizing the crucial role they play in supporting students’ well-being and ensuring that school meal programs are funded so that no child goes hungry because their family cannot afford to pay.
Sherrill also recognizes the mental health crisis our students are facing, both as a result of the pandemic and the algorithms that power social media platforms. She notes that many of the leaders of tech companies enroll their own children in schools that do not use the devices and platforms they produce.
“And I think that’s because they know the damage it does to kids’ brains,” Sherrill says. “I’m a big believer in getting cellphones out of the classroom and in understanding how this is impacting kids so we can help them stay safe online.
“I’m also really supportive of more programming in schools for the arts, sports, band, clubs—things that really engage kids in a structured way,” she continues.
Sherrill notes that she has worked closely with the community colleges in her congressional district, particularly to make sure that students who are the first in their families to go to college have access to the support they need.
“Community colleges have done that very well and are one of the ways in which we help students find that pathway to their degrees,” Sherrill says. “Community colleges fill very critical roles in workforce training, sometimes through two-year degrees, sometimes through certificate programs.”
Stressing their importance, Sherrill notes that community colleges have been underfunded over the years, and with federal cuts exacerbating college affordability, looks forward to seeking ways to better fund the programs that the schools offer and the staff needed to provide them.
Keeping New Jersey affordable
Few issues weigh as heavily on New Jersey families as the struggle for affordability. Sherrill understands this challenge deeply; affordability is not just a talking point for her, but a reality she faces in her own life.
“As a mom buying food for a family of six, including two teenage boys, I truly understand the stress,” Sherrill shares. “When families tell me that groceries are stretching their budgets to the breaking point, I empathize completely.”
During her time in Congress, she has introduced legislation aimed at helping small food retailers compete with larger corporations to make grocery prices more manageable for families. She has also been a strong advocate for reducing health care costs, increasing the availability of affordable housing and lowering energy bills.
That’s the lens through which she views educator compensation—a key to making education a viable career choice for current and future New Jersey public school employees. Sherrill has strong ties to the education profession, with her sister, father-in-law, mother-in-law, stepfather-in-law, aunts and uncles all working in the field, so she knows firsthand what NJEA members experience every day.
“I have heard many stories over the years that I wouldn’t know about if I hadn’t spoken directly to them or hadn’t heard their insights into the classroom,” Sherrill notes.
Those relationships and experiences have taught her that good legislation and policies are not created in ivory towers but through ongoing relationships with people who do the work every day.
She proudly notes that her father-in-law was an educational support professional, responsible for maintaining county schools as a facilities manager.
“Making sure that ESPs have a livable wage and that ESP work is a good career path is really important,” Sherrill says. “I’m happy to sit down and work through how we can find pathways to do that better.”
Working families and labor
Unions hold deep personal significance for Sherrill. Her grandfather was a member of the United Auto Workers, which provided her family with stability, opportunities and a secure place in the middle class.
“I wouldn’t be here today without the economic security that unions provided for my family,” she reflects. “New Jersey’s middle class owes so much to their relentless organizing.”
Sherrill understands the struggles of workers and has stood with nurses, journalists and countless others on picket lines, advocating for fair wages and benefits. She pledges to appoint a commissioner of labor and an attorney general who are dedicated to enforcing labor laws, tackling wage theft and protecting project labor agreements.
Sherrill is determined to ensure that both working families and labor leaders have a strong voice in the important decisions that impact their lives.
A vision rooted in service
From ensuring affordability to enhancing education, advocating for labor rights and securing pension funding, Sherrill’s story embodies a dedication to service and results. She has championed federal funding for schools, supported union jobs and passed legislation that eased the financial burden on families.
Her leadership was instrumental in launching the Gateway Tunnel, projected to create 95,000 jobs in this region. This after the initial project, the ARC tunnel, was canceled by Gov. Chris Christie in 2010. She has partnered with unions to replace lead pipes and address flooding challenges. Sherrill consistently supports workers’ rights to organize, whether they are nurses or journalists, reflecting a commitment that goes beyond campaign pledges.
For Sherrill, the mission is clear: to build a future where families can thrive, workers are respected and every child has the chance to succeed.
Mikie Sherrill’s record and priorities at a glance
Background
- U.S. Naval Academy graduate,United States Navy (1994–2003)
- Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, New Jersey
- Wife and mother of four children
Military and public service
- Led missions across Europe and the Middle East
- Flag aide to deputy commander of U.S. Atlantic Fleet
- Implementing nuclear treaty obligations, specializing in Russian policy
- Established reentry and community trust programs with law enforcement
Congressional achievements
- Secured funding for Gateway Tunnel Project, supporting 95,000 union jobs
- Advocates for affordable groceries, child care and repeal of SALT cap
- Fights for reproductive freedom, including abortion, contraception and IVF access
- Supports tutoring programs and federal funding to safely reopen schools post-pandemic
Priorities as governor
- Strengthen public schools: pre-K, kindergarten, free school meals, counseling and mental health support
- Make New Jersey more affordable: housing, healthcare, groceries, energy
- Expand workforce and apprenticeship programs
- Protect labor and collective bargaining rights
- Fully fund and stabilize public employee pensions to ensure the long-term health of the system and work toward the goal of providing cost-of-living adjustments
Aiat Oraby is the editor of the NJEA Review.