On November 4, 2025, New Jersey found itself at the epicenter of American politics, as voters across the Garden State turned out in droves to select their next governor in a race that drew national attention and underscored deep partisan divides. The contest pitted Republican Jack Ciattarelli, a former state legislator with the endorsement of President Donald Trump, against Democrat Mikie Sherrill, a four-term U.S. Representative aiming to become only the second woman to hold the state’s highest office. The outcome, observers said, would not only determine the direction of New Jersey but also serve as a bellwether for the 2026 midterm elections.
This off-year election, alongside Virginia’s, was watched closely by analysts and party strategists nationwide, eager to glean hints about voter sentiment heading into a crucial election cycle. According to NJBIZ, Sherrill entered Election Day with a slim lead in public polls, but the race had tightened considerably, with some surveys showing a virtual dead heat within the margin of error. The stakes were high, with all 80 seats in the New Jersey Assembly also on the ballot, and more than 850,000 registered Democrats giving the party a numerical edge—though, as always, the state’s large bloc of unaffiliated voters would likely prove decisive.
The campaign trail was a blur of rallies, bus tours, and high-profile endorsements. Sherrill, age 53, crisscrossed all 21 counties on her "Driving Down Costs" bus tour, accompanied by her running mate Dale Caldwell, president of Centenary University. Caldwell, speaking to NJBIZ, emphasized the struggles of small business owners: "As an entrepreneur myself, I know exactly how hard it is to run a small business in New Jersey. That’s why as we close out this race, I criss-crossed the state to ensure all voters know exactly how Mikie and I will help our cherished local businesses." He added, "We are also going to empower our Business Action Center to better help small businesses with marketing and mentorship and make them more competitive."
Ciattarelli, 63, embarked on his own whirlwind "Road to Change Bus Tour," energizing supporters at stops across the state. The eve of Election Day brought a particularly poignant moment when his son Jake, recently returned from service in Kuwait, surprised him at Murph’s Tavern in Totowa. The candidate’s social media captured the excitement: "What a crowd and what a surprise at Murph’s Tavern in Totowa today! The energy was absolutely unbeatable – you can feel it everywhere we go. New Jersey is ready for change, and we’re ready for a major victory tomorrow. Let’s bring it home – be sure to get out and VOTE!"
Both campaigns leaned heavily on national political figures to rally the faithful. Former President Barack Obama addressed a crowd in Newark for Sherrill, declaring, "You have a candidate worth being excited about. You’ve got a future governor to be excited about in Mikie Sherrill." Meanwhile, President Trump, who has made New Jersey a focus in his efforts to expand Republican influence, held a tele-rally for Ciattarelli, urging, "This is the biggest election. The entire country is watching New Jersey. Vote for Jack Ciattarelli. He’s a fantastic guy. He’s a winner. He loves the state. He has given up so much to do this." According to the Associated Press, Trump’s involvement included touting Ciattarelli’s business background and close relationship with him, promising that a Republican win would "rapidly" bring down energy and other costs—though he offered no specifics.
Election Day itself was not without drama. Polling places in seven counties—Bergen, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Passaic—were disrupted by emailed bomb threats, which law enforcement later determined to be unfounded. Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way, the state’s top election official, confirmed the threats and the subsequent swift response. In Montclair, Sherrill condemned the threats as attempts at voter suppression, telling reporters, "Obviously this is an attempt to suppress the vote here, and I don’t think New Jerseyans take very kindly to that kind of tampering in our election system." Some polling locations reopened quickly, while others redirected voters to nearby sites.
Concerns over election integrity were further heightened by the deployment of Department of Justice monitors to Passaic County, a key swing area that had shifted toward Trump in the 2024 presidential race. The monitoring, requested by the state Republican Party, drew criticism from New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin, a Democrat, who called the program "highly inappropriate."
The campaign’s closing arguments reflected the state’s pressing issues. Both candidates addressed New Jersey’s notoriously high property taxes and the rising cost of living. Sherrill pledged to declare a state of emergency to freeze electrical utility rate hikes, while Ciattarelli promised to lower costs by reforming how the state contracts for services. As voter Gerald Winthrop told the Associated Press, "People can only dig so deep in their pockets." Mary Burgess, a Ciattarelli supporter, echoed the sentiment, saying, "There are too many small fiefdoms in New Jersey and that needs to end."
Immigration and infrastructure also loomed large. Sherrill criticized the Trump administration’s abrupt freeze of funding for the Gateway Program, a multibillion-dollar project to replace aging rail tunnels under the Hudson River—a critical link for New Jersey commuters. "This is what we’re fighting for in this country — to make sure that we have a president who has to follow the law," Sherrill said, positioning herself as a bulwark against Trump-era policies. Ciattarelli, for his part, walked a fine line on Trump, praising the former president’s leadership while also courting Hispanic voters and discussing a "pathway to recognition" for some undocumented immigrants, though he has not clarified what that would entail.
Voter turnout was robust. Early in-person and mail-in voting saw approximately 1.36 million ballots cast before Election Day, including 690,036 Democratic, 389,972 Republican, and 279,762 unaffiliated ballots. As NJBIZ noted, the large number of unaffiliated voters made the outcome especially unpredictable. Political experts agreed: this would be a turnout election, with independents holding the key to victory.
As the polls closed, both candidates delivered final, rousing messages to their supporters. Ciattarelli declared, "We got to finish strong. Championship teams finish strong and deliver championships... We need a change. So, tell people what’s at stake. If you come across people who aren’t thinking about voting, get them to vote. We can win this race – but we got to turn it out." Sherrill, addressing a rally in Montclair, reminded supporters, "New Jersey is not a red state. New Jersey is not a purple state. New Jersey is a blue state. And so, New Jersey, when we vote – we win. Let’s go New Jersey."
With all 80 Assembly seats also up for grabs and the eyes of the nation fixed on the outcome, New Jersey’s 2025 gubernatorial election was more than just a local contest—it was a high-stakes referendum on the state’s political direction and a preview of battles yet to come.
