POLITICS

New Jersey Sets April Special Election For Sherrill

Media Bias Meter

Sources: 9

TRENTON, N.J. — Gov. Phil Murphy on Friday issued a writ setting a Feb. 5 primary and an April 16 special general election to fill the House seat vacated by Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill, whose resignation took effect at 11:59 p.m. Thursday. Sherrill will be inaugurated Jan. 20 and the April winner will serve the remainder of the term through Jan. 3, 2027. Candidates must file nominating petitions by Dec. 1 to appear on the primary ballot; independents have until Feb. 5, with signature thresholds at 500 for party candidates and 250 for independents. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Timeline

Mikie Sherrill won the New Jersey governorship earlier in November 2025.
Sherrill's resignation from the U.S. House took effect at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday in early November 2025.
Gov. Phil Murphy issued a writ on Friday setting the Feb. 5 primary and April 16 general election dates.
The deadline to file nominating petitions for the primary was set for Dec. 1, 2025; party candidates need 500 valid signatures, independents 250.
Early voting windows were announced: primary Jan. 29–Feb. 3, 2026; general Apr. 6–14, 2026; Sherrill will be inaugurated Jan. 20, 2026, and the seat's term ends Jan. 3, 2027.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 9
Right Leaning:: 1
Left Leaning:: 1
Neutral:: 7
Distribution:: Left 11%, Center 78%, Right 11%

Who Benefited

State political parties, declared candidates and campaign organizations benefit from the announced schedule, which provides a clear primary and general election timeline for campaign planning, fundraising, and voter outreach leading to the April 16 special election.

Who Suffered

Potential candidates and local campaign teams suffer from compressed administrative deadlines and signature requirements, including a Dec. 1 filing cutoff and 500-signature threshold, which limit time for petition gathering and ballot qualification.

Expert Opinion

Sherrill's resignation created a vacant 11th District seat; Gov. Murphy scheduled a Feb. 5 primary and April 16 special general to fill the unexpired term through Jan. 3, 2027. Filing deadlines and signature requirements constrain candidate access; early voting windows were announced for both contests and could affect campaign timelines.

Media Bias