New Jersey politics is basically a contact sport. If you've lived here long enough, you know the drill: the high stakes, the local machine drama, and the endless debates over property taxes that never seem to go down.
Honestly, the race for the next governor was a wild ride that didn't just stay within the borders of the Garden State—it became a national bellwether. While the dust has settled on the 2025 election, the way the candidates for New Jersey governor fought this battle tells us everything we need to know about where the state is headed in 2026 and beyond.
The Big Winner: Mikie Sherrill’s Path to History
Mikie Sherrill didn't just win; she kind of dominated. By the time the June 10, 2025, primary rolled around, she had secured endorsements from 10 different counties. That’s huge in Jersey, where "the line" (the ballot positioning given to party-backed candidates) used to be everything. Even with the legal drama surrounding the state's ballot structure, she managed to pull 34% of the vote in a crowded Democratic field.
She’s got this background that sounds like a movie script: former Navy helicopter pilot, federal prosecutor, and then the Congresswoman who flipped a "red" district in 2018. During the campaign, she focused on what she called the "six areas of affordability."
- Housing: Converting old commercial buildings into apartments.
- Taxes: Expanding the Child Tax Credit.
- Health Care: Auditing the State Health Benefits Program to stop overpayments.
- Childcare: Pushing for state-level subsidies.
- Energy: Bringing down utility costs through green investment.
- Groceries: Cracking down on price-fixing.
In the general election, Sherrill faced off against Jack Ciattarelli and eventually won with about 56% of the popular vote. She made history as the first Democratic woman elected as New Jersey’s governor.
Why Jack Ciattarelli Kept Coming Back
You sort of have to admire the persistence. This was Jack Ciattarelli’s third run for the front office. He’s a CPA and a former Assemblyman who almost pulled off a massive upset against Phil Murphy back in 2021. This time, he won the Republican primary decisively, grabbing nearly 68% of the vote against radio host Bill Spadea.
Ciattarelli’s whole vibe was "Main Street." He talked a lot about his roots in Raritan and his time as a small business owner. His platform was built on a few core pillars:
- The NJDOGE: No, not the cryptocurrency. He wanted to create a "New Jersey Department of Government Efficiency" to slash state spending by 30%.
- Tax Reform: Consolidating tax brackets and ending the tax on retirement income.
- Regional Housing: He famously opposed the state’s mandate for housing in every municipality, arguing it "gobbles up open space." He wanted to push development toward cities and transit hubs instead.
Even with an endorsement from Donald Trump, Ciattarelli couldn't bridge the gap in a state where Kamala Harris had recently won, though the margin in NJ was tighter than in previous years.
The Primary Contenders Who Shaped the Debate
The Democratic primary was a real "who’s who" of New Jersey power players. It wasn't just a coronation for Sherrill.
Ras Baraka, the Mayor of Newark, brought a deeply progressive voice to the table. He didn't just want to tweak the system; he wanted to overhaul it. Baraka proposed a "mansion tax" on property sales over $3 million and a new tax bracket for people making over $10 million. He finished second in the primary with about 20.7% of the vote, proving there’s a massive appetite for progressive economics in the state’s urban centers.
Steve Fulop, the Jersey City Mayor, was actually the first one to jump into the race—years in advance. He focused heavily on transportation and transparency. Then you had Josh Gottheimer, the North Jersey Congressman known for being a "problem solver" and a massive fundraiser. He ran as the "Lower Taxes, Lower Costs" guy, trying to peel away moderate voters.
And we can't forget Steve Sweeney. The former Senate President is a legend in South Jersey politics. He leaned hard into his ironworker roots and his experience running the state legislature. While he didn't get the traction he hoped for, his focus on senior tax freezes remained a talking point through the general election.
The Surprising Margin of Victory
Most analysts thought the race would be a nail-biter. After all, New Jersey had been trending slightly more "purple" in recent national elections. But the final result was a landslide.
| Candidate | Party | Vote Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Mikie Sherrill | Democrat | 56.88% |
| Jack Ciattarelli | Republican | 42.52% |
| Vic Kaplan | Libertarian | 0.3% |
| Joanne Kuniansky | Socialist Workers | 0.2% |
The 14.4% margin was actually wider than Phil Murphy’s first win in 2017. Why? A lot of it came down to the "gender gap." Sherrill won women by a staggering 20 points. While Ciattarelli won among men and did well in his home turf of Somerset County, it wasn't enough to overcome the massive Democratic turnout in Essex, Hudson, and Bergen counties.
Issues That Actually Moved the Needle
If you ask a political consultant what mattered, they’ll say "affordability." But "affordability" is a broad term. In New Jersey, it specifically meant property taxes.
Sherrill’s running mate, Dale Caldwell (the President of Centenary University), helped her lean into the education side of the budget. On the other side, Ciattarelli’s pick, Morris County Sheriff Jim Gannon, brought a law-and-order focus that played well in the suburbs but didn't quite flip the script.
There was also a huge divide on social issues. Sherrill leaned into protecting abortion access and LGBTQ+ rights, while Ciattarelli supported a 20-week ban on abortion and a "Parents' Bill of Rights" for schools. In the end, the exit polls showed that while voters cared about their wallets, they were also deeply concerned about "ethics in government," an area where Sherrill held a significant lead in public trust.
What Happens Now?
With the 2025 election in the rearview mirror, New Jersey is entering a new era. The "Sherrill Administration" is currently setting its first budget, and the promises made on the campaign trail are being put to the test.
Actionable Insights for New Jersey Residents:
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- Monitor the Child Tax Credit: If you have kids, watch for the implementation of the expanded state credits Sherrill promised. This could mean a few hundred extra dollars back in your pocket during tax season.
- Watch the Housing Conversions: Keep an eye on local zoning board meetings. If Sherrill’s plan to convert commercial office parks into housing takes off, it could change the landscape of suburban "office corridors" across the state.
- Property Tax Relief: The "Stay NJ" program and senior tax freezes are still hot topics in Trenton. If you're a senior, make sure you're registered for any existing relief programs while the new administration tweaks the rules.
- Audit Your Health Costs: Since the administration is auditing the State Health Benefits Program, expect changes in provider networks or drug costs if you’re a state employee or teacher.
The race for governor might be over, but the policies these candidates fought over are just starting to hit our front doors.