first100days

Governor Mikie Sherrill returned to NJPAC to reflect on her administration’s first months

Ninety-nine days after her inauguration at NJPAC, Governor Mikie Sherrill made a repeat appearance at the Arts Center on April 29. 

But this time, the pomp and circumstance of her inauguration in Prudential Hall was swapped out for an intimate, wide-ranging sit-down conversation with NJ.com political reporter Brent Johnson, focused on Sherrill’s first 100 days in office. 

Perched on plush armchairs on the Lizzie & Jonathan Tisch Stage of the Victoria Theater, the Governor and Johnson used hand-held microphones as they chatted in front of a packed house of about 500 civic and elected leaders. Their talk was also livestreamed on NJ.com.

The conversation was wide-ranging and touched on issues ranging from funding the state pension to the potential of nuclear power and the challenge of supporting children’s mental health needs. Sherrill acknowledged the difficulties her administration faces, including balancing the state budget and responding to federal rollbacks of environmental protections.   

But she didn’t seem daunted by them.

All the problems the Garden State faces are “solvable,” Sherrill insisted.

“I’ll work with anybody to help the people of New Jersey, but I’ll also stand up to anybody if they’re attacking the people of New Jersey,” she said.  

In a fun Jersey-themed lightning round of questions, Sherrill revealed that her favorite Springsteen song is “Thunder Road,” her preferred mall is Willowbrook and her healthy diner order (hold the hash browns) includes two eggs over easy with dry rye toast and sliced tomatoes.  

The privately invited guests were most likely unaware that the Governor’s event was one of three taking place that day at the Arts Center, including a sold-out matinee of Shen Yun in Prudential Hall and a rehearsal in one of the banquet rooms of Ritual4Return, an Arts & Well-Being program where formerly incarcerated people create a theatrical rite of passage to mark their return to their communities.  

The thousands of people who streamed in and out of the building created a palpable buzz and energy throughout the day. So, too, did the staff working behind the scenes, from production assistants pushing carts of audio equipment around the campus to housekeeping team members polishing the copper banisters on the Mort Pye Staircase in the Arts Center’s rotunda. 

And just like John Legend — who had performed at NJPAC a few days prior — Governor Sherrill held her audience’s rapt attention.

When asked whether she was interested in seeking a higher office than Governor, Sherrill said that she plans to stay in New Jersey.  

“I’m dedicated to what I’m doing right now and I really love this work,” she said. “It would be hard for me to envision something [I love] as much as I love what I’m doing now.”

The event was presented by NJPAC and NJ.com with support from RWJBarnabas Health. 

A recording of the livestreamed conversation is available here.   

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