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Sherrill Resigns U.S. House Seat; New Jersey Sets Feb. 5 Primary and April 16, 2026 Special Election

12:33 AM, 11/22/2025
Sherrill Resigns U.S. House Seat; New Jersey Sets Feb. 5 Primary and April 16, 2026 Special Election

Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill resigned her U.S. House seat ahead of her Jan. 20, 2026, inauguration as New Jersey's 57th governor. Gov. Phil Murphy scheduled the party primary for Feb. 5, 2026, and the special general election for April 16, 2026. More than six Democrats and at least one Republican have already entered the race for the 11th District, a suburban seat that shifted toward Democrats during President Trump's first term. Sherrill defeated Jack Ciattarelli by double digits earlier this month.

Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill has resigned her seat in the U.S. House after winning New Jersey's governorship, and the state's current governor announced a schedule for a special election to fill the vacancy.

The resignation was expected ahead of Sherrill's inauguration as New Jersey's 57th governor on Jan. 20, 2026. Gov. Phil Murphy set the party primary for Feb. 5, 2026, and the special general election for April 16, 2026.

Who’s running

More than half a dozen Democrats have already declared their candidacies for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District, which Sherrill has represented since her 2018 victory. At least one Republican has also entered the race. The crowded Democratic field underscores the district's competitiveness following Sherrill's move to statewide office.

District background

The 11th District stretches across parts of Essex, Morris and Passaic counties in northern New Jersey. Once reliably Republican, the district trended toward Democratic candidates during the first term of President Donald Trump and has since become a more favorable area for Democrats at the federal level.

Political context

Sherrill won the gubernatorial race earlier this month, defeating Republican Jack Ciattarelli by double digits. Her transition to the governor's mansion creates an open congressional seat that is likely to draw intense attention — and funding — from both parties as they vie for control of a competitive suburban district.

Next steps: Candidates will compete in the Feb. 5 primary; the special general election on April 16, 2026, will determine who completes the remainder of Sherrill’s congressional term.

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