The dust has finally settled on the New Jersey primary 2025, but if you’re still trying to figure out how we got here, you aren't alone. Honestly, it was a bit of a circus. We saw record-breaking spending, a complete overhaul of how ballots actually look, and a field of candidates that felt like a "who’s who" of Garden State power players.
Basically, the June 10, 2025, primary wasn't just another Tuesday at the polls. It was the first time in modern history that Jersey voters didn't have the "party line" to guide them. You know that column of names usually endorsed by county bosses? Gone. This changed the math for everyone from the top-of-the-ticket gubernatorial hopefuls down to the local assembly races.
The Night Mikie Sherrill Took the Wheel
Mikie Sherrill didn't just win the Democratic primary; she kind of owned it. Taking about 34% of the vote, she managed to fend off five other heavy hitters. It’s funny because, for a while, people thought the progressive surge might favor someone like Newark Mayor Ras Baraka or Jersey City’s Steve Fulop.
Instead, Sherrill’s "moderate but tough" vibe—leaning heavily on her background as a Navy pilot and federal prosecutor—resonated with the suburban base. She walked away with 286,244 votes. Baraka put up a solid fight with 20.7%, but it wasn't enough to stop the Sherrill momentum.
Why the Democratic Field Split the Way It Did
It’s worth looking at the numbers because they tell a story about where the state is headed.
- Mikie Sherrill: 34.0%
- Ras Baraka: 20.7%
- Steve Fulop: 16.0%
- Josh Gottheimer: 11.6%
- Sean Spiller: 10.6%
- Stephen Sweeney: 7.1%
Sweeney’s performance was probably the biggest shocker for old-school political junkies. The man was the Senate President for over a decade. Coming in last among the major names? That’s gotta hurt. It suggests that the "South Jersey machine" isn't the invincible force it used to be.
Jack Ciattarelli’s Second Act
On the Republican side, things were way less dramatic, at least in terms of the final tally. Jack Ciattarelli is back. Again. After nearly toppling Phil Murphy in 2021, he coasted through this primary with 67.8% of the vote.
He basically spent the whole cycle ignoring his primary opponents and acting like he was already in the general election. Bill Spadea, the radio host who’s spent years building a "common sense" brand, tried to paint Ciattarelli as not "MAGA" enough. It didn't stick. Spadea finished with about 21.7%.
What Really Changed: The "Party Line" Is Dead
If you’ve lived in New Jersey for more than five minutes, you know about the "line." For decades, county party leaders picked their favorites and put them in a neat little row on the ballot. If you weren't on that line, you were basically invisible, tucked away in "ballot Siberia."
A federal judge’s ruling changed all that for the 2025 Democratic primary. Suddenly, the ballots were organized by office, not by party endorsement.
This is huge.
Without the line, candidates had to actually introduce themselves to voters instead of just relying on a logo. It leveled the playing field, but it also made the campaigns way more expensive. We’re talking over $151 million spent across the board. That’s a lot of mailers filling up your recycling bin.
The Issues That Actually Moved the Needle
Everyone likes to talk about "vibes," but voters were actually worried about real-life stuff. Affordability was the big one. It's always the big one in Jersey.
Taxes and the Cost of Living
Josh Gottheimer tried to make the whole race about being the "Lower Taxes, Lower Costs" guy. While he didn't win, he forced everyone else to talk about property taxes. Sherrill leaned into child tax credits and housing, while Ciattarelli hammered away at state spending and "suburban sprawl."
The "Trump Factor"
You can't talk about a 2025 election without mentioning the White House. With Donald Trump back in office, the New Jersey primary 2025 became a bit of a proxy war. Democrats wanted someone who would "stand up" to the administration on things like deportations and federal funding. Republicans, meanwhile, were split on how closely to hug the President's agenda.
What’s Next for Jersey Voters?
Now that the primary is over, the real fight begins. We’re looking at a Sherrill vs. Ciattarelli showdown for the November general election.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, here is what you should be doing right now:
- Check your registration: Even if you voted in June, make sure your status hasn't changed before the November 4 general election.
- Look at the running mates: Sherrill picked Dale Caldwell, and Ciattarelli went with Jim Gannon. These aren't just names on a flyer; they represent the "balance" of the ticket.
- Follow the money: Keep an eye on the "Independent Committees." They spent $96 million in the primary alone. Their ads are going to get nastier as we get closer to the fall.
The 2025 cycle is proving that New Jersey politics isn't just about backroom deals anymore. It's getting louder, more expensive, and—honestly—a lot more unpredictable.
🔗 Read more: President Trump Speaks at National Prayer Breakfast: What Most People Get Wrong
Actionable Insights for the General Election:
- Register by October 14, 2025: This is the hard deadline for the general election. Don't miss it.
- Request your mail-in ballot early: If you don't want to deal with the November 4 lines, you can apply for a mail-in ballot now.
- Research the Assembly candidates: It’s easy to focus on the Governor’s race, but the entire General Assembly is up for grabs. These are the people who actually write the tax laws you hate.