New Jersey politics is usually a game of inches, but the nj election results 2025 felt like a mile-long sprint. If you were following the polls back in September, you probably expected a nail-biter. Everyone did. The chatter in the diners from Vineland to Vernon was all about whether the "red wave" from the 2024 presidential cycle would finally wash over Trenton.
It didn't.
Instead, Democrat Mikie Sherrill didn’t just win; she kind of steamrolled her way into the governor’s mansion. She defeated Republican Jack Ciattarelli by a massive 14.4% margin. That’s huge. Honestly, it’s a bit of a shocker considering Ciattarelli almost pulled off an upset against Phil Murphy just four years ago.
The Governor’s Race: A Landslide in the Garden State
The big takeaway from the nj election results 2025 is that the "blue wall" in New Jersey is a lot sturdier than people thought. Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy pilot and prosecutor, managed to flip the script on the GOP. She pulled in roughly 1.89 million votes compared to Ciattarelli’s 1.41 million.
You’ve got to look at the map to really see where the damage happened. Sherrill did something no Democrat has done since 1973—she won Morris County. That’s Ciattarelli’s home turf, or at least his neighborhood, and it’s traditionally deep red. Losing your own backyard is a tough pill to swallow. She also nearly snatched Hunterdon County, losing it by only single digits.
Why did it happen?
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High turnout. Basically, voters showed up in droves. We saw a 51.44% turnout rate, which is the highest for a New Jersey governor’s race in over two decades. People weren't just "meh" about this one; they were fired up. Much of this was driven by a reaction to the national political climate and the early days of the second Trump administration.
The Assembly Shakeup: Machines Are Dying
While Sherrill was winning big, the state legislature saw some real drama too. If you think the "party bosses" still run everything in New Jersey, the nj election results 2025 primary and general elections might make you reconsider.
This was the first year we didn't have "the line" on the primary ballot. For decades, the county line gave a massive advantage to candidates endorsed by party leaders. Without it, the "machines" started to creak. In the primary, 10 different county organizations saw their endorsed gubernatorial picks lose.
In the General Assembly, the Democrats kept their grip on power, but the names are changing. Look at District 21. Democrats Andrew Macurdy and Vincent Kearney managed to oust Republican incumbents Michele Matsikoudis and Nancy Muñoz. That’s a seismic shift for a district that has leaned Republican for a long time.
Then you have District 8, where Democrats Anthony Angelozzi and Andrea Katz beat out Republicans Michael Torrissi and Brandon Umba. It wasn't all bad for the GOP, though. They held onto their seats in places like District 1 and District 9, but they couldn't find the momentum needed to flip the chamber.
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Property Taxes and the "Affordability" Trap
Despite the Democratic sweep, don't think for a second that New Jerseyans are happy about their bank accounts. If you ask anyone at a Rutgers-Eagleton poll, they’ll tell you the same thing they’ve been saying for 15 years: Taxes. Property taxes remain the absolute number one concern for 28% of residents. Another 19% say "affordability" generally is the biggest headache. Sherrill campaigned on making life cheaper, but now she’s the one holding the bag. It’s a classic Jersey trap—voters give you a mandate to fix the costs, but the costs are baked into the state's DNA.
What Actually Happened with the Turnout?
The numbers are pretty wild when you dig into them.
- Hunterdon County had the highest turnout at 62%.
- Hudson County was the lowest at 40%, but they still saw a massive spike compared to 2021.
- Middlesex County saw a 13% jump in participation.
Basically, the urban centers—Newark, Jersey City, Elizabeth—voted in much higher numbers than they usually do in "off-year" elections. This surge in the cities essentially built a firewall that the GOP couldn't climb over, no matter how well they did in Ocean County.
Actionable Insights for New Jersey Residents
The nj election results 2025 aren't just numbers on a screen; they’re going to change how you live in the state over the next four years. Here’s what you should be watching for:
Monitor the Tax Relief Promises Sherrill talked a lot about child tax credits and property tax freezes. Keep an eye on the StayNJ program. With a Democratic trifecta (Governor, Senate, and Assembly), there are no excuses left. If your property tax bill doesn't stabilize, you’ll know the campaign talk was just that.
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Watch the "County Line" Fallout Since the old way of voting in primaries is dead, expect a lot more "outsider" candidates to run in the next local cycles. If you’re tired of the same old names, now is actually the time to pay attention to local council and school board races. The gatekeepers have lost their keys.
Transportation and Infrastructure With a fresh administration in Trenton, expect a renewed push for NJ Transit funding. If you’re a commuter, the next two budget cycles will be make-or-break for the trains and buses.
The 2025 election proved that New Jersey isn't as "swingy" as the 2024 results suggested, but it also showed that voters are losing patience with the status quo. The mandate is clear: fix the affordability crisis or the 2027 legislative elections will be much uglier for the incumbents.
Check your local county clerk's website for the finalized, certified results of your specific municipal or school board races. Many of those were decided by fewer than 100 votes.