TRENTON, NJ – The race for New Jersey governor is heating up, with Republican candidate Bill Spadea launching a fiery critique of Democratic contender Rep. Mikie Sherrill on Tuesday.
Spadea, a former conservative radio host, accused Sherrill of “fear-mongering nonsense” in a social media post, reacting to her claims that billionaire Elon Musk is attempting to dismantle Social Security as a precursor to broader cuts.
Sherrill, a U.S. Representative from New Jersey’s 11th district and a leading Democratic candidate for governor, posted on X earlier this month, warning that Musk’s influence—particularly through his role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—threatens seniors’ benefits.
“Make no mistake: Elon Musk is trying to break Social Security as a first step to cutting it,” Sherrill wrote, adding that slashing phone support would exacerbate struggles for seniors reliant on the program. She positioned herself as a defender of New Jersey’s elderly, vowing not to let “the world’s richest man shake down NJ seniors — just to get another tax break.”
Spadea didn’t hold back in his rebuttal.
“Stop your fear-mongering nonsense Mikie,” he fired off on X at 11:05 a.m. PDT on March 18. “We all know who you are and what you really stand for… Those who don’t know yet, will surely know when we go head-to-head in November.”
He went on to tie Sherrill to the policies of outgoing Gov. Phil Murphy and the Biden-Harris administration, accusing her of supporting measures that “made our streets less safe, endangered our LEOs [law enforcement officers], crushed our middle class with skyrocketing costs of food, fuel and fees and bankrupted so many small businesses and family farms.”
With Gov. Phil Murphy term-limited after eight years, the contest has drawn a crowded field of candidates from both parties, all vying to define the state’s future amid national debates over government spending and efficiency—issues amplified by Musk’s high-profile involvement in President Donald Trump’s administration.
Spadea, who served in the United States Marine Corps, left his long-running show on New Jersey 101.5 to focus on his campaign, pitched a vision of prosperity and safety, promising to “fix education funding, restore parental rights, end ‘bail reform,’ get NJ Transit back on track and lower the budget with NJ DOGE all while protecting retirees and restoring COLA [Cost of Living Adjustment].” His reference to “NJ DOGE” nods to Musk’s federal efficiency initiative, signaling Spadea’s alignment with Trump-era policies—a stance that’s already sparked controversy among Democratic rivals.
Sherrill, a former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor, has leaned into her resistance to Trump and Musk as a campaign cornerstone.
Her March 11 post also took aim at Spadea and GOP rival Jack Ciattarelli, claiming they “will gut investments in NJ TRANSIT, slash funding for schools, and fire veterans — just like Donald Trump and Elon Musk are doing in Washington.”
She’s garnered endorsements from prominent Democrats like Rep. Frank Pallone and Rep. Tim “Sarah” McBride, who praise her as a “fearless” fighter for New Jersey families.
The Social Security debate has become a flashpoint in the race, reflecting broader national tensions. Musk’s DOGE has drawn scrutiny for its aggressive push to cut federal spending, with critics like Sherrill arguing it jeopardizes essential programs.
Spadea, however, frames such critiques as overblown, aligning himself with Musk’s mission to root out “fraud, waste, and abuse”—a phrase echoed by House Speaker Mike Johnson in recent weeks.
As the November election nears, both candidates are doubling down on their narratives. Sherrill casts herself as a bulwark against billionaire influence and federal overreach, while Spadea paints her as a continuation of failed progressive policies.