Fulop hits Sherrill for missing House vote for vet benefits, Sherrill spox responds

Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop went after U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11), an opponent in the gubernatorial Democratic primary, for missing a vote for veteran benefits, to which her campaign responded.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

“I’m going to give a pass on @MikieSherrill hypocrisy on her launch day when after pushing her veteran narrative she chose to skip a key veteran vote in DC to instead meet with party bosses in Atlantic City,” Fulop, a marine veteran, wrote in a thread on X.

“As a veteran myself it was offensive and showed her priorities – HOWEVER, this moment for Democrats to stand up for our issues in a Trump Administration is bigger than that action but it is an example if you live in NJ and look at this thread objectively of course you would conclude their actions are offensive as it speaks to character, honesty, integrity, and most importantly how an elected official respects their own constituents.”

The Jersey City mayor’s remarks came after the New Jersey Monitor published an editorial that mentioned that Sherrill, a navy veteran, and U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5), another candidate for governor, missed a House vote on November 18th vote.

Specifically, the vote was for the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, which “addresses various programs, benefits, and services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including those related to health care, educational assistance, home loans, homelessness, and disability and memorial affairs.”

The passage of the bill was never in doubt, clearing 389-9, with 34 members of Congress not voting.

November 18th was the same day Sherrill declared for governor, just before the start of the League of Municipalities in Atlantic City, where LIUNA hosted an event for her and where she attended events with Democratic State Committee Chair LeRoy Jones and Hudson County Democratic Organization Chair Craig Guy.

The HCDO is widely expected to switch their endorsement from Gottheimer to Sherrill, while Jones has already backs Sherrill in has capacity as the chair of the Essex County Democratic Committee.

“Of course polticisns [sic] always do aspire to run for a different office when it arises and that is ok of course but it is unprecedented to outright mislead constituents on your intentions and declare for another office BEFORE even being sworn into the office you just told them you want to represent them in (which you had no intention of serving in) it speaks to the fact that one cares more about having a personal political title than anything else,” Fulop continued.

Sherrill campaign spokesman Sean Higgins brushed off the mayor’s criticisms, noting that Center for Effective Lawmaking had deemed her the most effective House member during the 2021-2022 session.

“Mikie was ranked as New Jersey’s most effective House lawmaker because of her commitment to delivering for the people she serves. Mikie will stay in close coordination with House Democratic leadership on the vote schedule and will always fight to protect the interests of New Jersey families.”

Gottheimer campaign spokesman Zach Florman also declined to get into a firefight and pointed to the congressman’s voting record.

“As ever, the congressman will be at every critical vote and is already working closely with leadership to ensure that,” he said.

While the general election was less than three weeks ago, the June 3rd, 2025 primary already appears to be going full swing.

Also competing to succeed Gov. Phil Murphy (D), who is term limited from running again, are Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, former state Senate President Steve Sweeney, and New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller.