It’s been about a year but it is clearly time for a visit with the Election Therapist. We brought in a co-therapist because, well, because it’s 2025 and (looks around) it’s all a LOT.
If you’ve heard the NJ 11th for Change’s Co-executive Directors talk at any recent events, you’ve likely heard this from them:
“Social Media Is Not Real Life.” - Mara Novak
“25 Comes Before 26.” - Judy Kelly
Anxiety in NJ is off the charts. We get it. We can’t look at the news from Washington without gritting our teeth first. Add in 30 seconds of social media browsing (erm 30 minutes? 300 minutes? We know the struggle), and it’s time to call for help.
So here’s the guidance from your favorite election therapists: Activism Binds Anxiety.
NJ’s 2025 gubernatorial race is important. We mean really, really, really important. The eyes of the nation are going to be on New Jersey (and Virginia!) for the next 60 days. Who we elect will have enormous consequences for us. But it’s not just us. Everyone looking for a ray of hope will be watching what happens here in New Jersey. NO PRESSURE, but folks are counting on us! (Not to mention, what happens HERE in 2025 will directly impact how much money is spent in 2026. 25 first though. Got it, got it.)
Mayor Ras Baraka knows what’s at stake and he endorsed Mikie Sherrill this week. At Wednesday’s rally in Newark, Baraka said: “The congresswoman represents our best chance, our best hope, our best opportunity, our best pathway to get to what we want to get to, to get to the place we need to be at…”
He also said, “I pledge to get out here and fight and organize so that she can become a governor…”
Organize! Get involved! Yes, go to protests and rallies! Yes, call your reps and show up at their offices. But also, YES AND. Grab a friend and get out on the doors.
Canvass.
Phone Bank.
Text Bank.
TALK TO YOUR NEIGHBORS.
Be like our friend Fern. Whether she’s with the brigades on bridges or knocking on doors and talking to neighbors, she’s out there doing exactly what 2025 requires!
Check out the event section below for local protests and rallies, upcoming large events, and canvassing shifts.
But what else can we do? This year, this election needs more!
The election therapists encourage you to lean in. This is the time to reach out to your circle and have some real conversations! Need help starting? Sharing upcoming election dates with a reminder this is an election year in NJ is an easy way to open the door. Message us if you want cards like this to distribute at rallies, farmers markets, or to your friends and neighbors. We have lots!
Need tips on what to say? Follow Mikie on social media and then share with your circles!
Here are some sample posts to share:
- We've got an authoritarian in the Oval Office, Republican legislators leaving our most vulnerable communities out to dry, and @Jack4NJ's all for it.
- Check out this reel from Mikie Sherrill where she talks about why she ran for office and shouts out NJ 11th for Change!
- Take a screenshot of our graphic above and share Ras Baraka’s endorsement message!
Until our next visit, we advise activism to manage anxiety. Get out and raise your voice, sign up for canvassing shifts, practice your version of self care. We may be the election therapists, but you? You are all Political Influencers. Own it. SPREAD THE WORD, person to person. When you get right down to it, the best way to stop the Trump regime and manage our collective anxiety is to elect Mikie Sherrill governor.
And cut back on social media.
Because, as Mara says, social media is not real life.
And as Judy says, 2025 is Job One.
Events!
Here are your opportunities to get involved in the next week or two. Events are in chronological order with a * next to those that are virtual or online. Follow the links to find out more!
Saturday, September 6, 2025
MEC Garden Tour and Plant Sale
Sponsored by Madison Environmental Commission
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Knock Doors in Morris County to Elect NJ Democrats
Sponsored by NJ Victory 25
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Knock Doors in Morris County (Parsippany) to Elect NJ Democrats
Sponsored by NJ Victory 25
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Canvass in Morris County (Pequannock) to Elect NJ Democrats
Sponsored by NJ Victory 25
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Knock Doors in Morris County (Mt. Olive) to Elect NJ Democrats
Sponsored by NJ Victory 25
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Essex County: Knock Doors in Maplewood to Elect NJ Democrats
Sponsored by NJ Victory 25 (District 28 Assembly Candidate Chigozie Onyema will be canvassing with you to support Mikie Sherrill and NJ Democrats!)
12:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Knock Doors in Essex County to Elect NJ Democrats (Bloomfield)
Sponsored by NJ Victory 25
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Sunday, September 7, 2025
Knock Doors in Morris County to Elect NJ Democrats
Sponsored by NJ Victory 25
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Canvass in Morris County (Rockaway) to Elect NJ Democrats
Sponsored by NJ Victory 25
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Knock Doors in Morris County (Parsippany) to Elect NJ Democrats
Sponsored by NJ Victory 25
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Knock Doors in Essex County to Elect NJ Democrats (Bloomfield)
Sponsored by NJ Victory 25
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Knock Doors in Verona/Cedar Grove to Elect NJ Democrats
Sponsored by NJ Victory 25
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Monday, September 8, 2025
* Fall Zoom Call to Action Featuring Rep. Mikie Sherrill, Dr. Dale Caldwell, & More
Hosted by NJ Victory 2025
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Join from anywhere!
Saturday, September 13, 2025
Knock Doors in Morris County to Elect NJ Democrats
Sponsored by NJ Victory 25
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Knock Doors in Morris County (Parsippany) to Elect NJ Democrats
Sponsored by NJ Victory 25
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Knock Doors in Morris County (Mt. Olive) to Elect NJ Democrats
Sponsored by NJ Victory 25
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Knock Doors in Mendham to Elect NJ Democrats
Sponsored by NJ Victory 25
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Knock Doors in Essex County to Elect NJ Democrats (Bloomfield)
Sponsored by NJ Victory 25
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Sunday, September 14, 2025
Knock Doors in Morris County to Elect NJ Democrats
Sponsored by NJ Victory 25
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Knock Doors in Morris County (Parsippany) to Elect NJ Democrats
Sponsored by NJ Victory 25
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Canvass in Morris County (Rockaway) to Elect NJ Democrats
Sponsored by NJ Victory 25
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Knock Doors in Essex County to Elect NJ Democrats (Bloomfield)
Sponsored by NJ Victory 25
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Knock Doors in Verona/Cedar Grove to Elect NJ Democrats
Sponsored by NJ Victory 25
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays…Sundays, onward to November!
* 100 Days to Victory Weekday Phonebank for NJ Democrats!
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday every week; join from anywhere
Hosted by NJ Victory 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
* 100 Days to Victory Weekend Phonebank for NJ Democrats!
Saturday and Sunday every week; join from anywhere
Hosted by NJ Victory 2025
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM and 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Montclair Protest: Standing Up to Trump!
Sundays at 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Corner of Bloomfield Avenue and Church Street in Montclair
Come from any/all surrounding communities. Come this Sunday, next Sunday, any Sunday, every Sunday for a peaceful protest of this outrageous regime.
The Visibility Brigade is active in our area!
Active citizens working to raise awareness by putting messages “line of sight” for folks on major roadways. Join the Morris/Essex Chapter at the link above. Multiple sites and times available.
Essex County Dems Phone or Text Banks for General Election
Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:45 – 8pm EDT
Hosted by Essex County Democratic Committee
Save The Dates:
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Hands Across NJ is planning something big! More details to follow. We will keep you up to date.
Thursday, September 18, 2025
* Democracy on the line: Texas, Gerrymandering & New Jersey’s 2025 Election
Featuring Texas State Representative Gene Wu and Passaic County Commissioner John Bartlett
Hosted by AAPIS for NJ Victory; sponsored by NJ Democratic State Committee
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM via Zoom
Sunday, September 21, 2025
Clifton - Van Houten Street Fair
Register voters, recruit volunteers and get the word about Mikie Sherrill and the Democratic ticket!
Hosted by NJ Victory 2025
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM and 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
And if you can’t get to a local event, check out the online events and webinars that will help you stay connected and informed. They are marked in this listing with a * !
