June 11, 2025 | New Jersey — The race to become New Jersey’s next governor is officially underway following decisive primary victories on both sides of the political aisle.
In the Republican primary, former State Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli emerged as the clear winner, swiftly declared the GOP nominee shortly after polls closed. The Associated Press projected Ciattarelli’s victory within minutes, confirming his dominance across the state — winning all 21 counties. This marks his third gubernatorial campaign, and this time, he says, he’s running with the full backing of former President Donald Trump.
“I accept your nomination as the Republican candidate for governor of New Jersey,” Ciattarelli told supporters at his victory party in Holmdel. “Because of you, we won. Our campaign is about people, not politics.”
Calling for unity among Republicans, including those who backed his primary opponents, Ciattarelli pledged to build a broad coalition that includes independents and disaffected Democrats. Supporters highlighted his moderate credentials as a potential draw for voters across party lines.
On the Democratic side, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill won a closely contested primary that featured prominent contenders including Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, and Congressman Josh Gottheimer. Though the race was expected to be tight, Sherrill pulled ahead early and was declared the winner around 9:00 p.m.
Addressing supporters in Morristown, Sherrill struck a confident tone.
“So, New Jersey, are you ready? I am too,” she said to cheers. “Tonight, I pledge to you: we’re going to build something worthy of our state and worthy of our kids.”
She emphasized her readiness to take on Ciattarelli in November and criticized him for supporting conservative policies, including an abortion ban and plans to defund Planned Parenthood.
“Jack is the status quo. He’s not change. He’s a rerun — a ghost of elections past,” Sherrill declared. “I’ve fought for new opportunities my entire life.”
The general election is expected to draw national attention as a potential referendum on both Trump-era Republicanism and the direction of the Democratic Party in the post-Biden landscape. Both candidates are now pivoting to a broader electorate, with Sherrill aiming to unify the Democratic base and Ciattarelli launching a 146-day statewide tour.
As the countdown to November begins, New Jersey’s political landscape is set for a high-stakes, high-energy showdown.
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new jersey governor primary
Running against Trump-era policies is nothing new for Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor who first rose to national prominence by flipping a long-held Republican district during the former president’s first term. Sherrill launched her political career in 2017 amid a wave of Democratic candidates — many of them women with backgrounds in public service and national security — who capitalized on growing discontent with the Trump administration. In 2018, she defeated GOP Assemblyman Jay Webber by nearly 15 points.
Though elected alongside progressive firebrands like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sherrill carved out a more centrist path. She joined both the New Democrat Coalition and the Blue Dog Coalition, aligning herself with a group of moderate Democrats — particularly those with military and intelligence backgrounds — who played a pivotal role in building bipartisan support for Trump’s first impeachment.
As she now sets her sights on New Jersey’s governorship, Sherrill is once again positioning herself as a pragmatic fighter. Her campaign platform focuses on lowering costs for New Jersey families and countering the return of Trump-aligned politics in the state.
“A state like this is not going to be led by a Trump lackey like Jack Ciattarelli,” Sherrill declared. “He’s not change — he’s a rerun. A ghost of elections past. I’ve fought for new opportunities my entire life, and I’m ready to shake up the status quo.”