The Democratic National Committee will invest $1.5 million in New Jersey’s 2025 governor’s race, backing U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill as she seeks to keep the seat in Democratic hands after consecutive terms by Phil Murphy.
The money will fund field operations for Sherrill’s campaign and other Democrats down the ballot, according to DNC Chair Ken Martin, who said the party is committed to supporting working families across the state.
The early investment follows a $20 million commitment from the Democratic Governors Association and signals national Democrats’ heightened focus on the race.
Sherrill, a former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor, is running to succeed Gov. Phil Murphy, a fellow Democrat who is term-limited. A recent poll shows her leading Republican Jack Ciattarelli by a narrow margin. Democrats have not held the governorship for three consecutive terms since the 1960s.
Republicans, meanwhile, are pointing to a shift in voter registration as evidence of momentum. Since 2017, the GOP has added over 430,000 voters, cutting the Democratic edge from 1.1 million to about 865,000.
Democrats still control the Legislature and lead in fundraising. The general election is set for November.
See: Who did Mikie Sherrill pick as her running mate?
See: Who did Jack Ciattarelli pick as his running mate?
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.