Two Democrats in New Jersey Gubernatorial Race Under Fire for Missing Vote on Laken Riley Act

Two Democratic candidates in the 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial race, Mikie Sherrill and Josh Gottheimer, faced criticism from both Democrats and Republicans for not voting on the Laken Riley Act. The bill, named after a young woman murdered by an illegal immigrant, would require municipal and state authorities to detain illegal immigrants convicted of theft-related crimes.

Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, a Democratic candidate for governor, criticized Sherrill and Gottheimer for not voting on the bill, calling their actions "cowardly" and saying that "we lose elections when we don’t have any core convictions." Former Republican Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli also slammed the two lawmakers, saying they lacked the courage to stand up to their "extreme far left base."

Republican Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia quipped that "the Road to Drumthwacket is paved with flat squirrels who couldn't make a decision," referring to the historic governor’s mansion near Princeton. State Sen. Jon Bramnick, another GOP gubernatorial candidate, said that a lawmaker’s first responsibility is to their constituents, not their next campaign.

Sherrill and Gottheimer did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Another Democrat in the race, Ras Baraka, mayor of Newark, also did not respond, but indicated separately that he would have voted against the Laken Riley Act if he were in Congress.

The Laken Riley Act passed the House with 48 Democratic votes, indicating that immigration is a bipartisan issue. Bramnick said that if elected governor, he would "follow the law" when asked how he would approach President-elect Trump or border czar-designate Tom Homan. He also said that "state-by-state shouldn’t change the law based on how they feel on the issue.