Copyright Joliet, IL Patch
Mikie Sherrill's gubernatorial win is firing up other Democratic women veterans – including a new coalition called "The Hell Cats." They’ve served their country in uniform. Now these “Hell Cats” are stepping up to serve again. Fresh on the heels of a wave of Democratic election wins across the nation – including New Jersey’s hotly contested race for governor – a group of four women veterans have joined forces as they run for seats in Congress in 2026: Maura Sullivan (New Hampshire), Rebecca Bennett (New Jersey), Cait Conley (New York) and JoAnna Mendoza (Arizona). Calling themselves “The Hell Cats,” a tribute to the first all-female Marine unit that served in WWI, the four friends said they are launching a mission to flip key House seats and build a new generation of service-driven leadership grounded in “courage, integrity and results.” The launch of the new coalition comes a week after New Jersey’s gubernatorial race, which was one of only two happening this year. U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) has been projected as the winner of the election. She faced challenges from Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican nominee, as well as third-party candidates Vic Kaplan (Libertarian Party) and Joanne Kuniansky (Socialist Workers Party). Sherrill is now set to become New Jersey’s second woman governor, and the first Democrat to hold the post. The congresswoman’s victory and other Democratic wins – such as Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger’s election in Virginia – have sparked a renewed call to action from The Hell Cats. In New Jersey, Rebecca Bennett is looking to unseat U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr. in the 7th congressional district, a race that some political pundits are considering a “toss-up.” Her campaign announced in October that it has raised more than $1.35 million. “After stripping thousands of our neighbors of their health care, Tom Kean Jr. is now shutting the government down to stop Democrats from lowering health care costs, putting millions of Americans at risk of having their premiums more than double,” Bennett charged. “It’s time we said enough is enough of putting the politics of Washington above what’s best for our residents right here in New Jersey,” she added. Bennett – a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, like Sherrill – said that she swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies: foreign or domestic. “We love this country, and we’re not waiting for permission to fight for it again,” she said, referring to the trailblazing original Hell Cats, who served at a time in U.S. history when few women worked outside the home. Learn more about The Hell Cats coalition and their platform here. RECORD NUMBER OF WOMEN GOVERNORS In 2026, a total of 14 women – 10 Democrats and four Republicans – will serve as governors in the United States, matching the record high set very briefly in January. Sherrill will be the first woman military veteran to serve as a governor, according to the Center For American Women and Politics (CAWP), a unit of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers. “For too long, women candidates have had to prove both that they can win and that they should win,” CAWP director Debbie Walsh said, calling it a “dual campaign that men do not have to wage.” “In New Jersey and Virginia, voters have sent a clear message: we're ready for women to lead,” Walsh said. Kelly Dittmar, director of research at the center, noted that it’s been more than three decades since Christie Todd Whitman, a Republican, was elected as New Jersey governor in 1994. “One thing that has been slow to change in New Jersey has been the power of what has been called the ‘old boy’s network,’ whereby a small group of men have often had disproportionate influence on who would be the next gubernatorial candidate – particularly in the Democratic party,” Dittmar said. “That is one of the reasons why there have been few women candidates,” Dittmar said. According to the CAWP, other election milestones across the nation this year include: Former U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) will be the first woman governor of Virginia. State Senator Ghazala Hashmi will be the first Asian American/Pacific Islander woman to serve as Virginia lieutenant governor and in statewide elective executive office in Virginia. She will also be the first Democratic woman to serve as Virginia lieutenant governor. Mary Sheffield will be the first woman and first Black woman to be mayor of Detroit, Michigan. Kaohly Her will be the first woman and first Asian American/Pacific Islander woman to be mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota. Alicia M. Johnson has won a special election to serve on Georgia’s Public Service Commission (District 2). She will be the first Black woman to serve in statewide elective executive office in Georgia. A record number of women will serve in both the Virginia House of Delegates and the overall Virginia General Assembly. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.
