"We've watched this campaign grow from the ground up and we're seeing the strategy working, with real energy across the State of New Jersey," said Donnelly. "It's vitally important to pick the next governor [who can win in November]."

Sherrill is a Democrat running in a primary field of six. Polls show her with the edge. On the Republican side, former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli favorite in a smaller field.

Donnelly wants to defeat Ciattarelli and he said he believes Sherrill is the person for the job.

"Jack has taken positions in the past in the assembly or running for governor that are completely anti-labor," said the FMBA President. "His views on pensions, healthcare interest arbitration caps, salary caps for firefighters and police officers - all of it. Not good. He's kind of backed away from it when he's speaking in circles with my folks. But his moral compass can't be 180 like that."

"I see the plan coming together," Donnelly added of the campaign. "This was always the plan. We wanted to completely engage in the last few months and we see it and feel it now. The energy and groundswell are incredible. As we see the polling numbers creep north, we're getting more calls from the others who see it too. People want to be involved. The GOTV effort is fully engaged and fully involved. It's becoming that much easier because we're feeling the groundswell.

“The energy we have and our strategy over these next three weeks are going to be strong and we are going to explode.  The insurgency that some other candidates continue to portray will prove unsuccessful again”.

Donnelly fears the GOP agenda with Donald J. Trump as president.

"A lot of my members learned the hard way," he said, in reference to Trump's 2024 reelection.  "We had this conversation, and now Trump has been in office more than 100 days and agencies are under siege. A vitally important national fire academy was shut down. Cancer funding, SAFER grant funding, all threatened, put on hold. The national election was tough. A lot of our folks voted for Trump, but what he has done opened a lot of eyes. People tell me frequently, 'We didn't vote for this all, the cuts to the national labor relations board. These are real issues that affect our members.

"Mikie is the voice and the one who will stand up to Trump when she's in office," Donnelly added.

The FMBA President also praised Sherrill's military record. The congresswoman served as a U.S. Navy officer and helicopter pilot.

"A large group of our members come from the military and are very proud of what Mikie did in the military - proud of a female," said Donnelly. "My guys and gals are really proud and believe she's got what it takes."