NJ Governor Race Is Trump Still Haunting the Garden State?

Article Heading: Sherrill and Ciattarelli Secure Gubernatorial Nominations in New Jersey – The Shadow of Trump Looms Large

New Jersey's political landscape is set for a thrilling showdown this November as U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill clinched the Democratic gubernatorial nomination and former state assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli secured the Republican nod. The Associated Press has projected both victories, setting the stage for a high-stakes race where the influence of former President Donald Trump on Garden State voters will be thoroughly tested. With current Governor Phil Murphy term-limited, the governorship is up for grabs, and the Republicans are aiming to flip the state from blue to red.

The Trump Factor: A Double-Edged Sword?

Republicans are emboldened by the shifts seen in last year's presidential results, suggesting New Jersey might be increasingly receptive to their message. Trump himself has weighed in, endorsing Ciattarelli and painting a stark picture of the state's current direction. "This year's election for governor is critical for New Jersey's future. You'll decide whether New Jersey is a high tax, high crime, sanctuary state," Trump declared during a tele-rally for Ciattarelli in early June, adding, "New Jersey is ready to pop out of that blue horror show."

However, the numbers tell a more nuanced story. While Vice President Kamala Harris won New Jersey by a margin of approximately 6 percentage points in 2024, then-Vice President Joe Biden secured a much wider victory of around 16 percentage points in 2020. This means Sherrill faces the challenge of campaigning in a state that could be trending redder but still leans Democratic. Sherrill remains defiant. "We built a nation, and people say the scars we have are ugly... The president comes here nonstop to his golf course and calls our state a horror show – but come November, we're sending a shot across the bow," Sherrill proclaimed to her supporters on Tuesday night.

Furthermore, the general election will serve as a crucial test of the strength of a Trump endorsement when Trump himself isn't on the ballot. While Ciattarelli undoubtedly benefited from Trump's backing in the primary, he now faces the task of galvanizing Trump's base in New Jersey to turn out in November without the former president leading the charge.

Ciattarelli's Message: "People, Not Politics"

Ciattarelli, on the other hand, emphasizes a platform focused on local issues. "We won because our campaign is about people, not politics," Ciattarelli told supporters on election night. "We won because we talked about the issues that matter, the critical issues facing our state and my plan for a safer, more prosperous, and affordable New Jersey."

The Primary Landscape: A Crowded Field

Sherrill navigated a competitive Democratic primary field that included:

• Rep. Josh Gottheimer
• Newark Mayor Ras Baraka
• Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop
• New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller
• Former state Senate president Steve Sweeney

Ciattarelli faced challenges from within his own party, including conservative radio personality Bill Spadea, state Sen. Jon Bramnick, former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac, and contractor Justin Barbera.

A Record-Breaking Spending Spree

This election cycle is poised to become the most expensive in New Jersey's history, with over $85 million spent on advertising as of last Wednesday, according to AdImpact.

The breakdown of ad spending among the candidates reveals interesting insights:

• Among Democrats, Gottheimer led with $22.8 million in ad spending, followed by Fulop with $17.8 million.
• On the Republican side, Ciattarelli dominated with $5.9 million, significantly outpacing Spadea's $2.2 million and Bramnick's $1.2 million.

Notably, approximately 70% of broadcast ad airings have mentioned Trump, underscoring his continued presence in the New Jersey political conversation.

Looking Ahead

The stage is now set for a captivating gubernatorial race in New Jersey. With Sherrill and Ciattarelli as the standard-bearers for their respective parties, the campaign is expected to be fiercely contested, focusing on issues ranging from the economy and taxes to social policies and the ever-present influence of national politics. The outcome will not only determine the future direction of the Garden State but also provide valuable insights into the evolving political landscape of America in the post-Trump era.

Tags: NJ governor, Phil Murphy, Sherrill, Ciattarelli, NJ primaries, 2025 election, Democratic debate, New Jersey, Gottheimer, Mikie Sherrill

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/new-jersey-sherrill-ciattarelli-primaries-governor-setting-key-2025/story?id=122672319