Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov
Episode: "One of the Most Important Races This Year"
Date: September 26, 2025
Host: Jessica Tarlov
Guest: Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ Congresswoman & Gubernatorial Candidate)

Brief Overview

This episode focuses on the high-stakes 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial race featuring Rep. Mikie Sherrill, painting it as one of the most significant elections this year for centrist voters. Jessica Tarlov interviews Sherrill on threats to democracy emerging under the Trump administration, critical policy challenges in New Jersey—especially education and affordability—and how moderates like Sherrill are engaging voters amid intense national polarization.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

I. Erosion of Democratic Norms and Corruption in the Trump Administration

• Tarlov opens with concerns about the Trump administration firing prosecutors unwilling to target Trump's political opponents (01:20).
• Sherrill’s View as a Former Prosecutor (02:15):
  • Highlights repeated undermining of the justice system in New Jersey, particularly by acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, whom Sherrill says remains in office “illegally.”
  • Details examples of corruption: “We saw the 50k in cash that his border czar got… Trump killing any prosecution there… foreign entities like the UAE pushing money into Trump’s crypto company… and a couple weeks later, getting the blocking of tech into the UAE rescinded.” (03:01)
• Memorable Quote:

  “At every level, this is the most corrupt administration working to move money into Trump’s pockets and anyone working for him.”
  —Mikie Sherrill (03:00)

II. Public Health, Science, and Rising Extremism

• Tarlov expands the discussion to health and grift within Trump’s circle, including Dr. Oz and RFK Jr. (04:10)

• Both women express alarm at the rollback of vaccine requirements and the promotion of unproven health alternatives.

• Sherrill on Vaccine Safety and Misinformation (05:23):

  • “This science is 50 years old… imagine if your kid’s coming home with measles or mumps or whooping cough… we’ve seen babies across the country dying from whooping cough because of lower vaccine rates.”
  • Bemoans the influence of social media and non-experts on parenting and health choices.
  • Discusses the anxieties of pregnancy (“I was always a nervous wreck”), and the importance of trustworthy government health advice (06:30).

• Memorable Quote:

  “To receive your medical information like from TikTok influencers, I mean, RFK parents these weird things about mitochondria… that doesn’t even make sense.”
  —Mikie Sherrill (05:40)

III. The State of the Race in New Jersey & What’s at Stake

• Tarlov highlights New Jersey’s shifting electorate and the centrality of education in recent elections (07:59).
• Sherrill’s Priorities (09:15):
  • “Too many parents... feel like we have not centered our children in how we ensure people are getting access to great education.”
  • Cites post-COVID learning loss; pledges phonics-based reading initiatives and support for the Kids Online Safety Act.
  • “We need leaders who are going to put our kids first.”
• Mental Health & Online Safety: Commitment to more school mental health resources and tackling tech company influence.

IV. Affordability Crisis and Economic Policy

• Tarlov asks about the pinch on New Jersey families and what can be done about rising costs, taxes, and property values (11:12).
• Sherrill’s Solutions (11:41):
  • “Housing prices... up by 50% over the last five years. We have the highest property taxes in the nation. Utility prices up by 20% over this summer.”
  • Pledges to simplify business red tape, expand first-time homebuyer credits, and actively litigate against the Trump administration to recoup federal funds for NJ schools.
  • Contrasts her approach with her opponent: “My opponent has said he’s never taking Trump to court… Well, my job… is to fight for the people of New Jersey.” (13:30)
• Memorable Quote:

  “I’ve heard people say I can't breathe right now... the pressure to try to make ends meet is overwhelming. I can’t get my head above water. And this feels different from what I’ve heard in the past.”
  —Mikie Sherrill (11:56)

V. Navigating Culture Wars and the Centrist Identity

• Tarlov questions how Sherrill counters being branded a “radical leftist” and manages culture war distractions (15:44).

• Sherrill on Representation and Pragmatism (16:45):

  • Emphasizes her record as a Navy helicopter pilot, mom, prosecutor, and bipartisan problem-solver.
  • “New Jersey is a place where you can find almost every view in the world… We represent what it is to be an American here in New Jersey.”
  • Argues most New Jerseyans “agree on… making government work better” and “delivering better government in Trenton.”

• Memorable Quote:

  “Part of what the American dream entails is, yes, protection of rights and freedoms, but also protection of opportunity, the protection of economic success.”
  —Mikie Sherrill (18:00)

VI. Trump, the Economy, and Voter Sentiment

• Tarlov asks about Trump’s continued appeal and its effects on New Jersey voters (19:58).
• Sherrill (20:51):
  • Labels Trump’s political style as “the Trump show”—designed to distract from failing on costs and opportunity.
  • Details tangible harm to NJ: loss of research talent, rising costs from tariffs, and stalled economic opportunity.
  • “He and his family have made about $3 billion in the last nine months... It would take having the whole United States economy and market at your fingertips and at your beck and call.”

VII. Lightning Round: What Makes You Rage & What Should We Calm Down About?

• What Makes Her Rage:
  Unfair attacks on New Jersey’s reputation, stressing the state’s critical role at “the forefront of how we move forward” (23:41).
• What to Calm Down About:
  Overwrought reactions to corporate branding and supposed "culture war" marketing controversies.
  • “Not everything is a political drama… Sometimes corporate rebranding is really just to try to make you buy more corporate products.” (24:57)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Corruption under Trump:

  “This is the most corrupt administration working to move money into Trump’s pockets and anyone who’s working for him.” (03:00)

• On Vaccine Rollbacks:

  “Imagine if you have a baby at home and your kid comes from elementary school with whooping cough… We’re putting our kids in danger.” (05:28)

• On Economic Stress for Families:

  “I can’t breathe right now... the pressure to try to make ends meet is overwhelming.” (11:56)

• On the Centrist Outlook:

  “New Jersey really is the gateway to America… all these different visions and views. We represent what it is to be an American here.” (17:30)

• On the Cost of Trump’s Corruption:

  “He and his family have made about $3 billion in the last nine months… Imagine what it would take to make $3 billion. Well, I can tell you what it would take…” (22:00)

• On the Real Political Divide:

  “Not everything has to devolve into a right versus left discussion… Sometimes we just need some space to live our lives.” (25:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:20 – Tarlov introduces the central corruption issue with Trump’s actions.
• 02:15–04:10 – Sherrill details the situation in NJ and parallels at the federal level.
• 05:23–07:59 – Deep dive into vaccine safety, pregnant women’s health, and misinformation.
• 09:15–11:12 – Education and Sherrill’s platform.
• 11:41–14:04 – Economic and affordability challenges in NJ.
• 15:44–19:58 – Nationalization of the race, Sherrill’s moderate credentials.
• 20:51–23:36 – Trump’s effect on NJ, the economy, and voter frustration.
• 23:41–25:49 – “Rage/Calm Down” round: NJ’s importance & calming culture war outrage.

Conclusion

This episode delivers a wide-ranging, frank conversation on the practical fallout of Trump-era politics at state and local levels. Mikie Sherrill combines her backgrounds as a prosecutor, veteran, and mom to push for pragmatic, centrist reforms—especially on education, economic relief, and protecting democratic norms. New Jersey’s unique diversity and political significance shine through, as does a plea for less culture war and more solutions-driven leadership.