New Jersey Governor’s Race Tightens as Early Voting Signals Potential Photo Finish
With less than a week until Election Day,New Jersey’s gubernatorial race is shaping up to be a nail-biter,as both Democratic nominee Rep. mikie Sherrill and Republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli report strong numbers in early voting returns. The outcome may hinge on which campaign can most effectively mobilize its base in the final days.
“We’re seeing such great results in the vote by mails and the early voting,” Sherrill told reporters on Wednesday following a campaign stop at a senior center in Elizabeth, New Jersey.Though, ciattarelli countered that his campaign has seen un-
mail-in ballot. notably, nearly a quarter of a million residents have already voted in person during the early voting period, which began on Saturday. This figure surpasses the total early in-person turnout from the entire nine-day early voting period in the 2021 gubernatorial election.
Despite the high overall turnout,a clear partisan trend is emerging. Currently, roughly double the number of registered Democrats have voted early compared to Republicans, a continuation of patterns observed in recent election cycles.
Sherrill, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former federal prosecutor, characterized the early voting numbers as “really great news,” adding that the trend is considerably improved compared to 2021, when Ciattarelli nearly unseated incumbent Gov. Phil Murphy.
Ciattarelli, however, remains optimistic. He emphasized that his campaign is “matching” Sherrill’s numbers in in-person early voting and expressed confidence in a victory. “We’re in great shape,” he stated. He also highlighted growing support within minority communities and endorsements from Democrats across the state.
The candidates are deploying high-profile surrogates in a final push to energize voters. Sherrill is scheduled to appear at two events on Thursday with former Transportation Secretary and presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg. She has also received recent support from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore. Former President Barack Obama is slated to headline a rally with Sherrill in Newark on Saturday,the final weekend before the election.
Ciattarelli’s campaign has focused on rallying support from within the MAGA movement, with appearances from Vivek ramaswamy and Rep. Byron Donalds. Former President Donald Trump headlined a tele-rally for Ciattarelli last Friday, and another is expected before Election Day. The campaign hopes these events will boost turnout among traditionally lower-propensity voters.
While New Jersey has historically leaned Democratic in federal and state legislative races,Republicans have proven competitive in gubernatorial contests,winning five of the last ten elections. trump’s gains in the state during the 2024 presidential election – reducing the Democratic margin of victory to six percentage points – demonstrate the potential for a Republican breakthrough.
The gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia are widely viewed as a referendum on Trump’s agenda. During their final debate, Sherrill accused Ciattarelli of failing to distance himself from the former president, pointing to Trump’s own description of Ciattarelli as “100% MAGA.” Ciattarelli, when asked about his alignment with the MAGA movement, described himself as “part of a New Jersey movement” and gave Trump’s performance an “A” grade.Sherrill responded by giving Trump an “F,” citing the state’s high cost of living.
Sherrill has consistently highlighted Ciattarelli’s positive assessment of Trump, arguing that the former president’s policies are detrimental to New Jersey residents. “Given that the president is raising costs on everyone, it really hurts anyone associated with him and certainly my opponent has really gone in lockstep with the president, giving him an A,” she charged at a recent campaign stop.
Ciattarelli, a former certified public accountant and state lawmaker, secured Trump’s endorsement during the GOP primary, which helped him secure an easy victory. He has repeatedly criticized Sherrill for focusing on Trump, asserting that many New Jersey residents approve of the president’s performance.
Paul Steinhauser is a politics reporter based in the swing state of New Hampshire. He covers the campaign trail from coast to coast.
