NEWARK - When she ran for governor last year, Mikie Sherrill paid homage to the political wind beneath her wings in her home county by citing the work of "Team Akeem."

She was referring, of course, to Akeem Cunningham of East Orange, who after successfully helming Essex operations for the Sherrill Campaign, last month took over the executive director position of the Essex County Democratic Committee.

What does it all mean?

InsiderNJ earlier today caught up with Akeem Cunningham, to discuss with him the direction of the party led by Essex County Democratic Committee Chairman LeRoy Jones, elections past and future, and how to align the interests and messaging of Democrats amid a surging progressive movement within the party and general voter unease and skepticism about party organizations.

In addition, we asked the new ED about the impact of the end of the line, or ballot bracketing, on traditionally one of the strongest party organizations in New Jersey.

"Contrary to popular belief where people feel like it has weakened organizations, I think it has given us an opportunity to get stronger withing the party organization by holding our elected officials accountable," Cunningham told InsiderNJ. "The people didn't want this the law said it can't happen, and so with that, the people have a stronger voice and it requires more work in the electoral process. ...People used to vote line 'A' all the way. Now we have to engage people as we typically didn't before. You really have to build coalitions and that's a beautiful thing."

What's the message?

"We cant feel like we have all the answers, and so one thing I will do is listen. I will conduct listening tours," said Cunningham. "The voters deliver a different message and we have to welcome all those voices. The greatest thing in our democracy and in our party is we welcome diversity and we can't just welcome it. We have to listen to it. We have to grow through it and put action behind it."

For (the FULL!) interview with Akeem Cunninham, please see below: