MONTCLAIR, NJ — Today, Cammie Croft, Democratic candidate for Congress in New Jersey’s 11th District, called on leaders in Trenton to set a date for the special election as soon as Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill makes her decision on when to step down from her seat, so voters can quickly fill the seat that will be vacated when she transitions to Trenton.
“In these extraordinary times, New Jersey’s 11th District deserves representation in Washington — not weeks or months of uncertainty,” said Croft. “Just like the Governor-elect has in Congress, the residents of this district need someone in Washington fighting like heck to bring down the cost of groceries, energy, and healthcare and rein in the Trump administration’s abusive and corrupt policies.
Every day this seat is vacant gives Trump and MAGA Republicans an opportunity to hurt NJ families further, which is why this special election needs to happen as soon as possible. Under Mikie Sherrill’s leadership, New Jersey sent a message to Trump on Tuesday, and the consequence can’t be that they effectively gain a seat in Congress while our district is left without representation.”
We’ve already seen how Republican obstruction in Congress can grind progress to a halt and even block duly elected members from being seated. We have to be ready to fight that fight — and that starts now. Setting a date for this special election as soon as possible is the first step in making sure North Jersey families don’t lose their voice in Washington while Trump wreaks havoc on the economy.”
Why This Matters
For the people of NJ-11, every day without a representative in Washington is a day without a voice on the issues that matter most — the economy, access to abortion, national security, and the cost of living.
Croft underscored that recent congressional vacancies have left districts unrepresented for months, eroding trust in government. “We cannot let that happen here,” she said. “The people of North Jersey work too hard and care too deeply to be sidelined while decisions are being made in Washington. Some have speculated that the seat could be left empty for almost a year until next November’s elections—that would be a disaster for families in our district and the entire country, especially with vote margins so close in the House.”
The Process: How the Seat Gets Filled
Under federal law, seats in the U.S. House of Representatives must be filled by election — not appointment. That means:
- Once Governor-elect Sherrill formally vacates her congressional seat, the Governor is required to issue a writ of election to fill the vacancy. The administration could align that election with the next regularly scheduled general election, potentially leaving the seat unfilled for up to a year, or choose to set a date for a special election sooner to ensure continued representation for the district.
- New Jersey state law specifies the timeframe for announcing and holding that election, including deadlines for candidate filing, ballot qualification, early voting, and mail-in ballots.
- After the election, the winner must be officially certified and sworn in — a process that, as we’ve seen with Rep. Adelita Grijalva of Arizona’s 43-day and counting delay, can be subject to partisan obstruction that leaves constituents without representation for even longer.
Croft emphasized that she is already preparing to ensure NJ-11’s voters are represented without delay. “Once this election is held, I will fight every step of the way to make sure the will of our voters is honored and that NJ-11’s next representative is seated — immediately,” she said.
A Call for Swift, Transparent Action
Croft urged state officials to publish a clear, transparent timeline as soon as the transition date is confirmed, giving election officials, candidates, and voters time to prepare.
“With upwards of eight or more candidates already in this race, voters in the 11th District deserve to know when the election will be and who’s running,” Croft said. “This isn’t about insiders; it’s about the people of North Jersey having the time and information they need to make the most informed decision about who’s going to fight for them. These are extraordinary times, and the stakes could not be higher. The people of this district deserve to choose their fighter and have that fighter seated without delay.”
About Cammie Croft
Cammie Croft is a public servant, nonprofit leader, and mom of three running to represent New Jersey’s 11th District in Congress. She has spent her career fighting for working families — from helping pass the Affordable Care Act in President Obama’s White House to leading national efforts to lower energy costs and create good-paying jobs. She lives in Montclair with her husband and three children. For more information, visit cammieforcongress.com.