U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, visited Westfield Sunday afternoon to raise campaign funds for the Westfield Democrats running for mayor and council.

Sherrill's visit followed a stop by U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, who was in town for a fundraiser on Friday evening, also for the Westfield mayor and council slate.

“It was an incredible honor welcoming Senator Booker and Congresswoman Sherrill to Westfield, hearing their inspiring messages about public service, progress, and the future of New Jersey,” mayoral candidate Jeremy Berman said. “The energy at these events was electric, and a powerful reminder that leadership starts at the local level.”

Berman is joined on the Democratic ticket with council candidates Reshma Adwar in Ward 1, Vik Venkataraman in Ward 2, Jenn Gilman in Ward 3 and Drew Pecker in Ward 4.

Democrats currently hold a 5-4 majority on the Town Council. Democratic Mayor Shelley Brindle decided not to run for a third term. The council candidates who ran on her ticket also decided not to seek reelection.

Westfield had previously been a Republican stronghold, but Brindle and her team broke the GOP grip in 2017, winning the mayor and four council seats. In 2019, Democrats won three more seats, giving them an 8-1 majority.

Democrats in Westfield outnumber Republicans by nearly 2-1, but there are almost as many unaffiliated voters as Democrats, making Westfield a political battleground for voters without a political party.

During his visit in Westfield, Booker relayed stories about his start in politics as a Central Ward Councilman in Newark, then later running for mayor. Booker said it was vitally important for candidates running for local office to talk to as many voters as possible. So many elections, he noted, are decided on just a handful of votes.

Sherrill spoke of the importance of electing Democrats in New Jersey to stand as a bulwark against President Trump. What happens in New Jersey, one of only two states with a gubernatorial election this year, will be closely watched as a bellwether for next year's mid-term elections, she said.

Sherrill also answered questions about how she will improve service for commuters on NJ Transit and her plans to declare a state of emergency on day one to curtail rising energy costs in New Jersey.

"As we sprint into the fall campaign, having both Congresswoman Sherril and Senator Booker in town this weekend fired up our team and sent a clear message that Westfield Democrats are ready to fight, ready to win, and ready to keep delivering for our community," said Democratic Chair Bruno Tedeschi.