It looks like Mikie Sherrill is ready for a campaign.

Shortly after Rosemary Becchi crystallized as the Republican congressional candidate in the 11th District, the Sherrill camp sent out a statement.

“We look forward to contrasting Mikie’s lifetime of service in the Navy, as a federal prosecutor and as a member of Congress fighting for New Jersey taxpayers to Rosemary’s record as a corporate lobbyist, Rosemary has spent her career helping corporate special interests push more of the tax burden onto New Jersey taxpayers. New Jersey deserves a congresswoman who fights for our country and our families – not a corporate lobbyist who works on behalf of special interest groups.”

Becchi, whose specialty is tax policy, announced her intent to run in CD-11 over last weekend. In an inaugural statement on Tuesday, she criticized Sherrill for supporting impeachment and other liberal issues that she said would hurt a district that covers parts of four counties – Essex, Morris, Passaic and Sussex.

Long a GOP stronghold, redistricting after the 2010 census and demographic changes have made CD-11 much more competitive. The latest registration figures show that Republicans outnumber Democrats by about 1,500 voters. Two years ago, the GOP advantage was about 10,000.