TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey voters will choose their next governor Tuesday in a race that will determine whether Democrats can maintain control in a state that remains reliably blue but has shown signs of leaning Republican in recent years.
Jack Ciatarelli, former state legislator with presidential endorsement donald trumpis seeking to become New Jersey’s first Republican governor since 2018. He will face Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a four-term member of the House of Representatives, who would become the state’s second female governor if elected.
The results could gauge how voters are responding to President Trump’s policies and whether some core Democratic voters still have confidence in party leadership.
Ciattarelli, 63, is running for governor for the third time. He lost the 2017 Republican primary and narrowly lost the 2021 general election to term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy.
Now, he’s using the election as an opportunity for voters to oust Democrats, who have controlled both the governor’s office and the state Legislature for nearly eight years. He touts his business background with deep roots in the state and his experience as a state and local elected official. He says a close relationship with Trump will help New Jersey.
“Make no mistake about it, we cannot afford another four years of Phil Murphy’s failed policies,” Ciatarelli said at a rally early in the campaign.
Mr. Sherrill, 53, campaigned on opposition to Mr. Trump. She recently took advantage of the government’s sudden decision. Freeze funds A multibillion-dollar project to replace an aging rail tunnel that connects New Jersey to New York City under the Hudson River.
“This is what we’re fighting for in this country: Making sure we have a president who has to obey the law,” she said.
Cheryl is also interested in her career, which includes serving as a U.S. Navy officer, helicopter pilot, and as a prosecutor. She cast Ciattarelli as someone who will go along with Trump’s actions no matter what. If elected, Sherrill will join Christine Todd Whitman, who served from 1994 to 2001, as the state’s only female governor.
In last year’s presidential election, former Vice President Kamala Harris won New Jersey, but Mr. Trump significantly narrowed that loss. Hispanic voters are leaning toward him.. The Democratic Party’s registration advantage has eroded in recent years.
Although Mr. Ciattarelli has taken a nuanced position on Mr. Trump, praising him and giving the president an “A” rating, he also campaigned to attract Hispanic voters.
Although he has said he supports the president’s efforts to end the birthright citizenshipalso talks about “pathways to recognition” and giving immigrants who are in the country illegally but have no criminal record driver’s licenses and Social Security numbers. That puts him at odds with the Trump administration’s current policies.
Ciattarelli did not explain what he meant by “path to recognition.” New Jersey already issues driver’s licenses to some undocumented immigrants, and the federal government issues Social Security numbers.
Due to the potentially close race, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the following: Monitor voting sites New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin, a Democrat, called the surveillance program requested by the state’s Republican Party “highly inappropriate.”
Cheryl and Ciattarelli discussedtwice They crisscross the state, meeting voters at diners and relying on surrogates to get their messages across. Democratic governors and former presidents Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Wes Moore of Maryland; barack obama, All came to New Jersey to rally voters for Sherrill.
Mr. Trump endorsed Mr. Ciatarelli in a conference call, saying he would cut energy and other costs “rapidly” without specifying how, and urging voters to support the Republican.
All 80 seats in the state House, which Democrats control 52-28, are also on the ballot.
