New Jersey politics is usually a grind. It’s expensive, it’s loud, and honestly, it’s often predictable. But the race to succeed Phil Murphy wasn't just another Tuesday at the polls. It was a massive, high-stakes collision of personalities that felt more like a national showdown than a local election.
When people search for governor candidates for New Jersey, they’re usually looking for a list. Who’s running? What do they want? But to understand the 2025 cycle, you have to look at the wreckage of the old "county line" system and the rise of a new kind of Garden State powerhouse.
The Heavyweights: Who Actually Made the Cut?
By the time the dust settled on November 4, 2025, the field had narrowed to a head-to-head battle between Mikie Sherrill and Jack Ciattarelli. But getting there was a total brawl.
Mikie Sherrill didn't just win; she shattered records. She’s a former Navy helicopter pilot and prosecutor who represented the 11th District in Congress. People liked her "service-first" vibe. She picked Dale Caldwell, the president of Centenary University, as her running mate. It was a smart play—balancing her military and legal background with his academic and community roots.
Then you had Jack Ciattarelli. This was his third time at the plate. He’s a CPA and former Assemblyman who almost knocked off Murphy in 2021. This time, he leaned hard into "Main Street" credibility. He chose Morris County Sheriff James Gannon for the ticket, trying to shore up the law-and-order vote in Sherrill’s own backyard.
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The Primary That Changed Everything
Before we got to the general, the Democratic primary was a literal circus. You had mayors, congresspeople, and union leaders all clawing for the top spot.
- Ras Baraka: The Newark Mayor brought a raw, progressive energy. He talked about "unified school districts" and fixing a system he called fundamentally broken. He finished second with about 20% of the vote.
- Steve Fulop: The Jersey City Mayor started his campaign incredibly early—like, years early. He was the policy wonk of the group, pushing for tax bracket restructuring.
- Josh Gottheimer: A fundraising machine from the 5th District. He focused heavily on affordability and "Universal Pre-K," trying to grab the moderate suburban vote.
- Steve Sweeney: The former Senate President. He was the old-school power broker, but the momentum just wasn't there this time.
On the Republican side, Ciattarelli had to fend off Bill Spadea, the radio host who has a massive following among the "MAGA" base. Spadea made it interesting, but Ciattarelli’s experience and Trump’s eventual endorsement helped him cruise through with nearly 68% of the primary vote.
What People Actually Cared About (Hint: It’s Always Money)
If you live in Jersey, you know the drill. Property taxes are the monster under the bed. The average bill topped $10,000 recently. That’s insane.
Ciattarelli campaigned on a promise to slash state spending by 30%. He wanted to cap property taxes and expand charter schools. He basically said, "The state is broke because we spend too much."
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Sherrill took a different route. She focused on the "cost of living" as a broader category. She talked about capping prescription drug costs, building more housing, and expanding the child tax credit. While Ciattarelli won the "who do you trust on taxes" polls, Sherrill dominated on health care and ethics.
The "Discover" Moment: Why Sherrill Won in a Landslide
Most analysts thought this would be a "toss-up." It wasn't. Sherrill won by a staggering 14.4% margin.
Why? She did something no Democrat had done since 1973: she won Morris County. That’s her home turf, and it’s historically deep red. She also nearly flipped Hunterdon County.
She turned the election into a referendum on "extreme Washington" versus "Jersey common sense." By framing Ciattarelli as a "Trump yes-man," she mobilized suburban women in a way that the GOP just couldn't counter. It also helped that turnout was the highest it’s been since 1997. People were fired up.
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The New Reality in Trenton
So, what now? Sherrill is set to be sworn in on January 20, 2026. She’s making history as the state's first Democratic female governor and the first female combat veteran to lead any U.S. state.
But the honeymoon will be short. She’s walking into a State House where the cost of energy is skyrocketing and the housing shortage is reaching a crisis point.
Actionable Insights for New Jersey Residents
- Watch the "Writ of Election" Changes: Murphy just signed a law (A5886) that changes how vacant House seats are filled. Since Sherrill left her 11th District seat to become Governor, keep an eye on the special election dates. They’re moving faster now—usually within 10 days of a vacancy.
- Monitor Property Tax Relief: If you were banking on Ciattarelli’s 30% spending cut, you’ll need to pivot. Sherrill’s plan focuses more on "affordability credits" and housing production. Check the 2026 budget proposals in February to see if your specific tax bracket gets a break.
- Clean Energy Incentives: Sherrill is big on community solar. If you’re a homeowner, 2026 is likely the year state-level subsidies for solar and brownfield remediation will hit their peak.
The 2025 race proved that New Jersey isn't just a "blue state"—it’s a "suburban state" where the middle ground is moving. Whether Sherrill can actually lower that $10,000 tax bill remains the billion-dollar question.