The fiery contest for the 11th congressional seat is getting even hotter. Incumbent Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill and her Republican opponent Paul DeGroot have exchanged heated remarks over abortion rights. Both candidates have called each other extremists and accused each other of spreading falsehoods.
DeGroot, a former prosecutor, is doing his best, his campaign says, to bypass the New Jersey media in order to reach voters directly. It’s a strategy that allows for a decidedly smaller audience of a reddish hue and for DeGroot, has the benefit, in his campaign’s mind, of clarifying his stance on key issues — in this case, abortion. Sherrill has continued to pound DeGroot on the issue.
“I really do think that he and Mikie Sherrill both — and every candidate running for office in New Jersey — in either side of the aisle owes the voter an answer on how they would vote on a woman’s right to choose. It’s not a gotcha question. These votes will come up,” said Democratic strategist Julie Roginsky.
