Sherrill and Ciattarelli Make Final Push as New Jersey Governor's Race Enters Final Days

The final weekend of the 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial campaign finds both major party candidates crisscrossing the state, making their closing arguments to voters in what has become one of the most closely watched races in the country.

Democratic Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, who represents the 11th Congressional District, enters the final stretch with momentum. Recent polling shows her leading Republican former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli by margins ranging from high single digits to low double digits, though both campaigns insist the race remains competitive.

The stakes could not be higher. New Jersey has not seen either party win the governorship for three consecutive terms since 1961, when Robert Meyner’s Democrats gave way to William Cahill’s Republicans. A Sherrill victory would break that streak and make her the first female Democratic governor in state history.

Ciattarelli, making his second consecutive bid for the governor’s mansion after narrowly losing to Phil Murphy in 2021, has focused his campaign on property taxes, affordability, and what he calls the failures of eight years of Democratic governance. At rally after rally, he has hammered home the message that New Jersey families are struggling under the weight of the nation’s highest property taxes.

“People are leaving,” Ciattarelli told supporters at a campaign stop in Ocean County this week. “Young families can’t afford to stay. Seniors on fixed incomes are being taxed out of their homes. We need a change.”

Sherrill has countered by emphasizing her background as a Navy helicopter pilot and federal prosecutor, positioning herself as a moderate Democrat capable of working across the aisle. Her campaign has leaned heavily into reproductive rights, a galvanizing issue for Democratic voters since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The national spotlight has drawn nearly $200 million in campaign spending, making this one of the most expensive gubernatorial races in state history. Outside groups have flooded the airwaves with attack ads, while both candidates have barnstormed the state seeking to energize their bases while also appealing to the suburban swing voters who will likely decide the outcome.

President Donald Trump’s return to the White House has added another dimension to the race. Sherrill has sought to tie Ciattarelli to the Trump administration’s policies, while Ciattarelli has tried to keep the focus on state issues and distance himself from national politics.

The campaign has also become a test of New Jersey’s political realignment. Democrats have made gains in the suburbs, particularly in counties like Bergen and Morris that were once Republican strongholds. But Republicans have shown strength in South Jersey and among working-class voters who once reliably supported Democrats.

Early voting, which New Jersey fully implemented for the first time in a gubernatorial election, has seen strong turnout. Election officials report that voters have taken advantage of the extended voting period, though both campaigns are watching the numbers closely for any indication of which way the electorate is leaning.

As the candidates make their final appearances before Tuesday’s vote, the contrast in their messages is clear. Sherrill speaks of protecting abortion access, investing in clean energy, and continuing the economic policies of the Murphy administration. Ciattarelli promises tax relief, a business-friendly environment, and a fresh start after eight years of Democratic control.

Whatever the outcome, Tuesday’s results will reverberate beyond New Jersey’s borders. Political observers across the country are watching to see whether Democrats can maintain their hold on a state that, despite its blue reputation, has been competitive in recent cycles.

For New Jersey voters, the choice is straightforward: continue on the current path or change direction. The answer will come Tuesday night.