Over the past number of weeks, I have had more than a few constituents contact me regarding Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill’s decision to be inaugurated and take her Gubernatorial Oath of Office in Newark, rather than here in Trenton, our state’s capital. This decision breaks with two hundred thirty-five years of tradition holding that newly elected Governors take their first oath of office within the 7.5 square miles of a city that has served as New Jersey’s capital since 1790 and briefly as the nation’s capital from November 1st to December 24, 1784.
To say that many Trentonians are steaming mad about this is an understatement. They feel embarrassed, taken advantage of, worried, and downright suspicious of what the future holds regarding our state government’s new leadership. Some have also expressed a sense of betrayal. I understand their strong feelings and for the life of me, I do not understand why at least some Inauguration activities could not be held in Trenton after this oath of office decision was made.
Allegedly, the decision to be inaugurated in Newark at the NJPAC was made based on the number of seats available there (2,868) versus the Trenton War Memorial (1,833). Having never been invited to a gubernatorial swearing-in, I can’t tell you for certain that every seat was filled at previous inaugurations here in Trenton. However, I can tell you that Governor-Elect Sherrill does owe some thanks to Newark Mayor Ras Baraka for his gracious and thoughtful support of her after his own Democratic Gubernatorial Primary bid ended this past June. It is certainly not just my opinion that Newark Mayor Ras Baraka’s support and that of New Jersey’s African American community was integral to Congresswoman Sherrill becoming Governor Sherrill.
Additionally, without great public support from civic and religious leaders and then, voters in the City of Trenton, her large margin of victory would be less impressive. To Governor-elect Sherrill’s credit, she did make Trenton a more frequent campaign stop over the course of the election and I was glad to have an opportunity to speak with her after a winter appearance here in Trenton’s North Ward.
Additionally, a good number of civic leaders, religious leaders, Mayor Reed Gusciora, and some of my City Council colleagues met with her and shared their views on our state government and its role in our city with our new governor. I have no doubt that their own conversations were quite substantial, chock full of good suggestions, and left a good impression on her. But now comes the hard part – Governor Sherrill governing and serving in the capital city.
While all the conversations and relationship-building was occurring, a lot of hope and more than a few dreams were projected onto our Governor-Elect when it comes to Trenton. We, as elected officials in Trenton, just as our predecessors did, must hope for a stronger, better, fairer, and more equitable relationship with the Governor’s Office and one that produces adequate support for all the city land and services that the state requires to function here. For decades, the State of NJ’s Capital City Aid and now, Transitional Aid monies, have been helpful for sure but the financial amounts only allow us to survive – not thrive. That philosophy must not continue if we are to make the city of our state government, legislature and Governor’s Office a more fiscally stable, healthier, safer and positive place to live, work, and play.
To a Trentonian, everyone wants a better city and one that our state workers, legislators, and leaders will want to spend more time in and explore. As the City Council member representing the North Ward, where the State House is located, I know of the pride beating in the hearts of our residents that we are the state capital and where the American Revolution was saved. They want our city to rise up further and be that shining city on the Delaware River that is a source of pride for the State of New Jersey. We can do this if Governor-Elect Sherrill is in our corner and she and her administration do everything they can to make sure that Trenton fulfills its potential.
While we cannot make Governor-Elect Sherrill and her team reverse their decision of Newark over Trenton for this Inauguration, we have to try to move on and work to make sure this new administration fulfills its responsibilities to our city. The State of New Jersey should want to invest in Trenton and not make our city beg for necessities and the basics of civic partnership when it comes to the capital complex and downtown state offices. One great way to start would be to bring back our state workers to Trenton – full-time. This remaining Covid-era decision has harmed our economy in many ways and reversing it would be a boon to the future of Trenton.
Over time, the harsh feelings of disrespect and disregard Trentonians have about the inauguration may lessen, but only if the State of New Jersey under Governor Mikie Sherrill comes through. My father, a WW II veteran, often said, “Let me show you a trick that I learned in the Navy” before he would do or show us something that would make things easier for us to do in the future. I and many others are putting our trust that our new governor will have more than a few tricks, and better yet – policies that she will use to make the lives of Trentonians better and the state capital the best it can be for everyone.
We’re counting on Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill, just as our constituents are counting on us. Let’s get to work together and make Trenton better than it has been in decades.