New Jersey Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill will be the next governor of New Jersey after defeating former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli in what turned out to be a more lopsided contest than most predicted.
As of 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Sherrill leads Ciattarelli 56.4% to 43%, a 13-point margin.
Polls leading up to the election were varied, with most reputable surveys showing Sherrill as the likely winner. However, many had her within the margin of error, making the race appear to be a toss-up. Other polls showed her with a more comfortable lead.
Voters cared about a range of issues leading up to the election. Immigration policy, cost of living, crime, education, healthcare and LGBTQ+ rights were among the most talked-about topics for New Jersey voters this year.
Following 2024, when Kamala Harris won New Jersey by only six points, and 2021, when Phil Murphy beat Ciattarelli by just three points, many Republicans saw an opportunity to flip the governor’s seat. New Jersey had not elected three consecutive Democratic governors since the 1960s, but Republicans will have to wait until 2029 to try again.
It was Ciattarelli’s third run for governor. In 2021, he positioned himself as a moderate, distancing from the MAGA movement and President Trump. In 2025, he ran as a close ally to the president.
With Trump’s approval ratings dropping steadily since his inauguration, Sherrill took advantage, frequently linking Ciattarelli to Trump’s agenda in campaign ads and televised debates. The strategy paid off. Sherrill will be the first female Democratic governor in state history after a commanding win.
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
