Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a Democratic candidate for New Jersey governor, has again leveled accusations against her Republican opponent, Jack Ciattarelli, claiming that he is complicit in the opioid deaths of thousands of New Jerseyans. During a press conference on the opioid crisis, Sherrill asserted that Ciattarelli’s involvement with pharmaceutical-backed training programs enabled access to addictive opioids, contributing to the deaths of many. She stated, “The opioid companies made billions, and thousands of New Jerseyans were dying.”
Ciattarelli’s campaign has responded aggressively, claiming that the accusations are baseless and reckless. His campaign spokesman, Chris Russell, charged that Sherrill’s claims were a defamatory attack and that she should retract her statements and apologize. “In a time where political violence and violent rhetoric are becoming all too prevalent, Mikie Sherrill baselessly and recklessly accusing a political opponent of mass murder in a televised debate crosses the line,” Russell added.
This latest exchange is part of a broader political contest that has grown increasingly contentious. Ciattarelli, a former state legislator and public accountant, began his political career after selling his medical publishing company, which promoted the use of opioids as a treatment for chronic pain. The company, which he sold in 2017, had previously raised questions about his potential ties to the opioid industry. Sherrill, in contrast, has emphasized her commitment to addressing the opioid crisis, accusing Ciattarelli of profiting from the suffering of New Jerseyans.
The race has also gained national attention, as New Jersey’s gubernatorial election is seen as a key early test of public sentiment for the upcoming 2026 midterms. With Democrats currently in control of the state legislature, the race could shift power dynamics significantly. Ciattarelli’s campaign argues that Sherrill’s allegations are politically motivated, while his opponents accuse him of avoiding transparency about his past ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
As the campaign intensifies, both candidates have turned the opioid crisis into a focal point of their political strategies. The accusations and counter-accusations highlight the broader implications of the race, which extends beyond New Jersey and has significant ramifications for national politics and the midterm elections.