Podcast Summary: Dear Chelsea – Minisode: Fighting Back with Mikie Sherrill
Podcast: Dear Chelsea
Host: Chelsea Handler (iHeartPodcasts)
Episode: Minisode: Fighting Back with Mikie Sherrill
Date: October 17, 2025
Overview
In this special minisode, Chelsea Handler sits down with Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, who is running as the Democratic nominee for Governor of New Jersey. The conversation centers around the current political landscape, fighting extremism, the importance of regional coalitions, policy priorities for New Jersey, and the value of diverse leadership. Mikie shares candid reflections from her military background and offers urgent advice for listeners who want to take action in a tumultuous political era.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Introducing Mikie Sherrill and the Stakes in New Jersey
- Election Details: Early voting in NJ is from Oct 25 to Nov 2; general election is Nov 4.
- Background: Sherrill is a Navy veteran, federal prosecutor, mother of four, and current Congresswoman.
- Tone: The race is fiercely competitive and personally contentious.
- “We are in a knockdown, drag out fight.” (Mikie Sherrill, 03:24)
2. The Nature of Political Opposition
- Opponent Characterization:
- Chelsea describes Sherrill’s opponent, Jack Cittarelli, as “100% MAGA.”
- Sherrill details unethical behavior and personal attacks from her opponent.
- “My opponent’s pretty slimy and has broken the law in several ways and has just really gone after my family in a way that’s wholly inappropriate.” (Mikie Sherrill, 03:38)
- Impact of MAGA Politics in NJ:
- Discussion of Trump-aligned policies' impact on education, healthcare, utilities, and economic costs.
3. How Governors Can Stand Up to Trump (05:22)
- Policy Levers for Resistance:
- Gun safety, reproductive rights, public health, and education funding.
- “I just want my kids to be able to go to the bus stop without people shooting them...I want good gun safety laws here in New Jersey, and we have some of the best.” (Mikie Sherrill, 05:27)
- Regional & Coalition Approaches:
- States working together to safeguard health care and voter information (mentions Governors like Gavin Newsom, J.B. Pritzker, and Wes Moore).
- “This is where strong governors can really come into play.” (Mikie Sherrill, 07:13)
4. Tech, Business, and Regional Innovation as Resistance (07:26)
- The Challenge with Tech Industry’s Trump Alliance:
- Chelsea expresses frustration about tech “bending the knee” to Trump.
- Sherrill’s Solution:
- Advocates for regional (not just state-by-state) cooperation to protect innovation and economic opportunity.
- Notes reversal of migration trends, with 10,000 Floridians moving to NJ due to better policies.
- “People are becoming increasingly concerned about governors who are not going to provide insurance for vaccines, who are going to wholesale promote abortion bans...” (Mikie Sherrill, 08:40)
5. Making New Jersey More Affordable (13:14)
- Policy Focus:
- Utility rate freezes.
- Affordable housing and investment in neglected cities, such as Trenton and Atlantic City.
- Business permitting reform inspired by Pennsylvania.
- “I am going to do that by driving down costs for families here…putting a rate freeze on utility hikes...developing some of the towns in New Jersey that were traditionally thriving and have not been invested in appropriately, like Trenton, like Atlantic City.” (Mikie Sherrill, 13:14)
6. Experiences as a Woman in the Military & Backlash from the Right (14:33)
- Personal Story:
- Recounts entering the Navy during a challenging time for women.
- References to rampant sexism and systemic barriers.
- Expresses outrage at Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s recent remarks and actions to reverse gender inclusion in the military.
- “Now Pete Hegseth is trying to drive out every woman in service, trying to roll back what we’ve built, what I feel like I have personally had a hand in building...it’s a really crappy day for women in service.” (Mikie Sherrill, 16:44)
- Importance of Representation:
- Emphasizes need for more female and minority leaders in government and the military.
7. Serving with Integrity Amid Extremism (17:52)
- Moral Dilemmas in Federal Service:
- Debate over staying in government roles under corrupt leadership vs. resigning.
- “At what point do you become complicit? ... Am I still doing good? Am I still protecting the people below me?” (Mikie Sherrill, 18:07)
- Reflection:
- The importance of credible people in powerful positions—struggles of Mark Milley, John Bolton, and others under Trump.
8. Personal Anecdotes from Military Service (19:42)
- Fond Memories:
- Camaraderie, travel, learning about other cultures, and being underestimated as a female pilot.
- “I remember flying a helicopter...Saudi aircraft controllers would not believe that we were the pilots.” (Mikie Sherrill, 20:15)
- Origins:
- Childhood ambition sparked by a casual conversation with her dad; illustrates the impact of believing in boundless opportunity.
- “When my father told me he didn’t know if women could go to the Naval Academy...I knew that I could figure out a pathway to that.” (Mikie Sherrill, 23:18)
9. Advice for Activists: How to Fight Back (24:44)
- Action Steps:
- Publicly protest (e.g., “No Kings Day”).
- Volunteer, donate, and raise awareness for key elections.
- “There are only two statewide races in the entire nation in Virginia and New Jersey...these two races could either be a huge mandate against the Trump administration, or they could give support to this administration.” (Mikie Sherrill, 25:13)
- Specific call to action: support her campaign and phone bank, text, knock on doors, donate at mikiesherrill.com.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “My opponent's pretty slimy and has broken the law in several ways and has just really gone after my family in a way that's wholly inappropriate.” — Mikie Sherrill (03:38)
- “Your opponent is 100% MAGA, correct?” — Chelsea Handler (04:11)
- “I just want my kids to be able to go to the bus stop without people shooting them...” — Mikie Sherrill (05:27)
- “Now Pete Hegseth is trying to drive out every woman in service...it's a really crappy day for women in service.” — Mikie Sherrill (16:44)
- “At what point do you become complicit?...Am I still doing good? Am I still protecting the people below me?” — Mikie Sherrill (18:07)
- “When my father told me he didn’t know if women could go to the Naval Academy...I knew that I could figure out a pathway to that.” — Mikie Sherrill (23:18)
- “There are only two statewide races in the entire nation in Virginia and New Jersey...these two races could either be a huge mandate against the Trump administration, or they could give support to this administration.” — Mikie Sherrill (25:13)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Guest Introduction & Stakes of NJ Election: 02:24–03:24
- Opponent Characterization & Political Context: 03:24–04:58
- How Governors Resist Federal Overreach: 04:58–07:26
- Regional Coalitions & Innovation: 07:26–09:19
- Affordability and Economic Policy: 13:14–14:33
- Experiences/Backlash Against Women in Military: 14:33–17:19
- Integrity in Government Service: 17:52–19:19
- Personal Military Memories & Motivations: 19:42–24:44
- Advice to Activists/Call to Action: 24:44–26:06
Tone & Style
The conversation is candid, energetic, and earnest, laced with Chelsea's trademark wit and directness. Mikie Sherrill is both passionate and personal, reflecting on her experiences with clarity and a sense of mission. The episode moves fluently from policy to personal history, always circling back to the urgent need for action and collective resistance.
Action Items
- Listeners are strongly encouraged to volunteer or donate to Mikie Sherrill’s campaign (mikiesherrill.com) and to actively support candidates and causes that reflect their values in a precarious political climate.
Summary prepared for those seeking a comprehensive, engaging understanding of this Dear Chelsea minisode without having to listen to the entire recording.