New Jersey’s 2025 gubernatorial contest has erupted into one of the most dramatic political showdowns in recent state memory, with both major candidates locked in a dead heat and controversy swirling over military records, mail-in ballots, and personal attacks. As Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli vie to become the state’s 57th governor, the race has become a high-stakes test of party strength, voter sentiment, and the boundaries of political combat in the post-2024 landscape.
The campaign’s intensity boiled over on Thursday, September 25, a day that seasoned observers called “one of the craziest and ugliest days the Garden State’s political world has ever seen,” according to reporting from The New Jersey Globe. That chaos was fueled by a series of bombshell revelations and fiery debate exchanges, all set against a backdrop of shifting voter allegiances and unprecedented scrutiny of the candidates’ pasts.
At the center of the storm stands Mikie Sherrill, a Democratic congresswoman and former Navy helicopter pilot whose military service has been a cornerstone of her campaign. Sherrill’s record, however, came under renewed attack after reports surfaced that she did not participate in her 1994 graduation ceremony at the U.S. Naval Academy. As detailed by the Associated Press, the reason stemmed from fallout over an exam cheating scandal: Sherrill was not directly implicated, but was punished for refusing to turn in classmates involved in the incident. Despite this, she was awarded her degree and commissioned as an officer, serving nearly a decade with distinction.
“I didn’t turn in some of my classmates, so I didn’t walk, but graduated and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy, serving for nearly ten years with the highest level of distinction and honor,” Sherrill stated, seeking to frame the episode as a matter of personal integrity. She has regularly highlighted her military service and experience piloting Sea King helicopters as evidence of her leadership and commitment to public service.
Yet the issue has become a potent weapon for her opponent. Jack Ciattarelli, a former state lawmaker and the Republican nominee, has seized on the controversy, calling on Sherrill to release more of her disciplinary and academic records and suggesting she concealed the full story from voters. Ciattarelli’s campaign has pressed the issue, pointing to Sherrill’s pledge for transparency and urging her to provide additional documentation. Thus far, Sherrill has not released any further records in her possession, and the Navy has declined to comment on the matter.
The controversy deepened when it emerged that Sherrill’s military records—including sensitive personal information such as her unredacted Social Security number and date of birth—were released in error by the National Personnel Records Center to a Republican operative in New Jersey. In a letter dated September 22, 2025, the director of the center, Scott Levins, apologized to Sherrill, writing, “On behalf of the National Archives, I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and aggravation this situation may cause you and for our failure to safeguard your military record from unauthorized release.”
Sherrill’s campaign quickly moved to turn the breach into a rallying point, blasting what they called “a shameful attempt to smear” her and a “weaponization of the federal government.” In a fundraising email, Sherrill decried the release as “wildly unprecedented – and blatantly illegal,” emphasizing the exposure of private records that “detail my early life, and go so far as to include my Social Security Number and insurance records. There are supposed to be several layers of checks set up to prevent something like this.” According to the Associated Press, the National Archives acknowledged the error and initiated a review of internal procedures, admitting that “the technician should not have released the entire record.”
All of this drama is unfolding as voters are already casting ballots. Mail-in voting began on September 20, 2025, and early voting is set to run from October 25 through November 2. The general election will take place on November 4, with both Sherrill and Ciattarelli locked in a statistical tie. An Emerson College Polling/PIX11/The Hill survey conducted just days before the latest developments found both candidates at 43 percent, with 11 percent of voters still undecided. The poll also revealed a generational divide: voters under 40 strongly favor Sherrill, 58% to 24%, while those over 50 back Ciattarelli by a margin of 52% to 36%.
Adding to the intrigue, mail-in ballot returns are showing a notable shift toward Republicans compared to previous cycles. Analyst Michael Pruser reported that as of September 26, Republican returns are up nine points relative to the same point in 2024. Democrats currently account for 63.8 percent of ballots cast (down 4.8 points from last year), while Republicans have risen to 23.6 percent (up 4.6 points), and other parties comprise 12.6 percent. This marks a 3.5-point improvement for Republicans compared to 2021, suggesting that Ciattarelli’s campaign—buoyed by an endorsement from former President Donald Trump—may be energizing the party’s base.
Ciattarelli, who narrowly lost to outgoing Democratic Governor Phil Murphy in 2021, has focused his campaign on tax relief and fiscal restraint. During a recent debate, he pledged not to raise the sales tax and promised to lower income and property taxes, painting himself as the candidate who will “put more money back in your pocket.” He has also accused Sherrill of failing to disclose certain stock trades during her tenure in Congress, citing reports from The New York Times and Business Insider that allege violations of disclosure rules related to defense and technology stocks. Sherrill pushed back, insisting on her record of fiscal responsibility and vowing to “drive down your cost at every level.”
The stakes could hardly be higher. New Jersey is one of just two states—alongside Virginia—holding a gubernatorial election this year, making it a closely watched bellwether for national political trends in the wake of the 2024 presidential race. With mail-in ballots already arriving and early voting on the horizon, both campaigns are scrambling to shore up support and sway the crucial bloc of undecided voters.
For those looking to participate, key deadlines are fast approaching. Residents must apply for a mail-in ballot by mail by October 28, or in person by 3 p.m. on November 3. Non-registered voters have until November 14 to register for the general election, even though Election Day itself is November 4. The outcome may hinge on which side can best mobilize its base and capture the confidence of swing voters amid a maelstrom of controversy and attack ads.
As the campaign enters its final stretch, the only certainty is that New Jersey’s tradition of hard-fought, high-drama politics is alive and well. The next governor will inherit a state deeply divided not just by party, but by age, region, and trust in government. With the nation watching, the Garden State’s voters are poised to deliver a verdict that will echo far beyond its borders.
