PHILLIPSBURG - "Born to Run" blaring through speakers in the background, Democratic nominee for Governor Mikie Sherrill came to this gritty west NJ river town this morning to deliver a hard-nosed message to galvanized supporters.

"It's such an important race, at such an important time," said the 11th District Congresswoman, in this traditionally Republican county. "As someone who served in the Navy for almost ten years, as a mom, as someone who's always fought for our country, I think we're in some really, really troubling times. But I also know that if we stick together, if we have our mission, if we fight hard for the people we love, we're going to prevail."

Sherrill was well received here.

"Welcome to Phillipsburg," Councilman Lee Clark told Sherrill, hand outstretched.

"Mikie is in the house," Warren County Democratic Committee Chairman Charles Boddy announced as the candidate bounded toward the stage amid shouts of "Governor, Governor, Governor."

"Ladies and gentleman," said Boddy, "with your hard work and support let me introduce you to the next governor of New Jersey."

VIDEO OF MIKIE SHERRILL'S FULL SPEECH BELOW 

PLUS:

SEE Chairman Boddy in a separate InsiderNJ Interview HERE:

A retired Navy helicopter pilot, Sherrill in her speech to Phillipsburg supporters identified the core principle of her candidacy: servant leadership.

"In the Navy, when you were in a leadership role, it wasn't about you," she said. It was 'ship, shipmate, self.' The people who came first were the people you were serving.

"This stands in such sharp contrast to my opponent, Jack Ciattarelli," she jabbed.

Boos ensued.

A brooding train whistle sounded like a reinforcing organ chord.

Everyone laughed.

"The universe agrees," said Sherrill.

"At every turn he has put [President Donald] Trump first," said Sherrill. "He can't think of one way in which he disagrees with Donald Trump. He's wrong for New Jersey. We can help him out with this. I've got a list. I disagree with these tariffs closing small businesses across our state and driving up costs everywhere. Trump's budget bill will harm one in three kids who get their health insurance through Medicaid. It's going to make college and university more expensive as their clawing money out of research and funding. Again and again, the Trump admin is raising prices on all of us and Jack Ciattarelli is right there supporting it. In fact, his response to the tariffs was well, people in New Jersey need to experience a little pain in support of Donald Trump. ...Why? Why? Not on my watch. I'm going to fight that tooth and nail."

Not only against Trump and the GOP agenda in Washington, she clarified, and here she pivoted to expressly make her case for a new way to lead N.J.

"I'm going to fight for you in Trenton," said Sherrill, who reiterated her commitment to issuing a day one state of emergency on utility costs, and fighting hard for transparency and accountability."