Mikie Sherrill began her term as governor of New Jersey amid economic challenges, with the state’s gross domestic product and job growth lagging behind national averages. In the third quarter of 2025, New Jersey’s economy grew by 3.4%, a rate that surpassed only five other states and Washington, D.C., according to government data. Job creation also slowed, with the state adding 9,000 jobs in 2025, compared to 39,200 in 2024 and 64,200 in 2023.
Governor Sherrill took office on January 20 after running a campaign centered on making life more affordable for residents following a period of high inflation after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Will Irving, a professor at the New Jersey State Policy Lab at Rutgers University, noted that these issues may not be limited to New Jersey. “I would not be surprised to see other states start to experience rapid increases as employment growth nationally continues to slow and/or decline,” he said in an email.
