TRENTON, N.J. – Republicans are criticizing Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s first two weeks in office, arguing that early appearances and progressive messaging have come at the expense of addressing rising costs and public safety concerns.

 Assemblyman Alex Sauickie said Monday that Sherrill’s initial actions suggest a focus on national attention rather than governing, calling her early record “a national political audition masquerading as leadership.”

“She moved hard left out of the gate,” said Sauickie (R-Ocean). “And residents are already being told their concerns come second to national applause.”

Sauickie pointed specifically to a proposed state-run online portal encouraging residents to upload images of federal immigration agents, a move he said undermines law enforcement while doing nothing to address affordability.

“That’s not leadership,” he said. “It’s activist theater that’s more about building a national profile than solving New Jersey’s cost-of-living crisis.”

He also criticized Sherrill for taking an early victory lap during her late-night television appearance last week on The Daily Show.

“That might end up being her ‘mission accomplished’ moment,” Sauickie said.

Sherrill told comedian Desi Lydic, “Got it done,” referring to the two executive orders she signed during her inauguration directing regulators to consider a temporary freeze on rate increases, rather than reducing existing charges.

“Did you get your gas bill last week?” Sauickie asked. “Because families did, and it wasn’t funny. Freezing bills that are already unaffordable during single-digit temperatures isn’t ‘getting it done.’”

Sauickie said the administration has yet to outline a clear plan to reduce utility costs, rein in property taxes or stabilize school funding, despite repeatedly citing affordability during the campaign.

“There’s still no serious proposal to actually lower bills,” he said. “No real plan on property taxes. No fix for a school funding formula that’s pitting communities against each other.”

He said Republicans are not interested in national political fights and want the administration focused on what he called “everyday reality.”

“We didn’t come to Trenton to chase viral moments,” Sauickie said. “We came here to deal with fixing the problems.”

Sauickie said even governors with national ambitions understood the need to establish a governing record early.

“You still have to do the hard work,” he said. “And that hasn’t happened yet.”