Brian there on WNYC, with us now for a few minutes is the new governor-elect of New Jersey,

Mikey Cheryl, Governor-elect. Welcome back to WNYC, and congratulations. Well, thank you, and thanks so much for having me. Can you feel that title yet? Does it feel right yet, or does it feel weird? It's a little clunky, Governor-elect, but it is great to hear, and it's a really exciting morning after a wonderful

victory. We saw just great returns in all of our communities, I think, really doubled down on

traditional democratic strongholds, working people, black voters, Latino voters, because these

are people that want good governance, great schools, good opportunities, good jobs.

And I think that combined with my message of affordability and then my willingness to stand up to Trump and the Trump administration as they're attacking our economy really resonated.

Yeah, you won by 13 points, which well exceeded the polls.

I want to ask you about Passaic County, maybe a national bellwether, largely Latino and

other immigrant as a county, north and west of New York City, for people who don't know

the New Jersey counties, that used to go reliably for Democrats, went for Trump by three

points last year, shocking some people, and now you

won Passaic County by 15 points, from what I read.

Is this more than Passaia County, New Jersey, but Passaia County, USA in any way as you see it?

Yeah, I think we swung Passaic by about 18 points, and I'll tell you, I mean, I think what've long to say by about 18 points.

And I'll tell you, I mean, I think what this is about is just really diving into those issues that New Jerseyans care about.

And I spoke into thousands and thousands of New Jerseyans, and it's cost, it's affordability, it's housing and healthcare and utility costs.

And it was this combination, I think, of really wanting a leader who's going to take on the status quo and act right away and proactively.

That's why I said, I'm declaring a state of emergency and freezing rate hikes on utilities

because I want people to understand.

I'm not looking at a 10-year plan or a strongly worded letter. I'm really going to take this on immediately. And at the same time, I'm going to stand

up to Washington because people see the tariffs, the one big beautiful bill, the attack on the

Gateway Tunnel Project. That's going to raise their cost and already is raising their costs as well.

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