It happened. After months of back-and-forth attack ads and a record-breaking amount of door-knocking, we finally know who won in nj. New Jersey elections are always a chaotic mix of local grievances and national shadows, but the 2025 cycle felt different. It was loud. It was expensive. And honestly? It was a bit of a wake-up call for both parties.
The dust has settled on the statewide races, and while some incumbents are sleeping easy, a few others are likely looking for new career paths this morning. It wasn't just a "politics as usual" year.
The Big One: The Governor's Mansion
The question of who won in nj starts at the very top. With Phil Murphy term-limited, the seat was wide open, and the fight to replace him became a proxy war for the soul of the state.
Mikie Sherrill secured the win.
The former Navy pilot and Congresswoman managed to thread a very narrow needle. She kept the progressive base happy enough without terrifying the suburban voters in Bergen and Monmouth counties who are currently obsessed with property taxes. Her opponent, Jack Ciattarelli—running for what felt like the tenth time to some—put up a massive fight. He hammered home the "affordability" crisis, a word that resonates in Jersey like nowhere else. But in the end, the math just wasn't there for him.
Sherrill’s victory wasn't a landslide, though. It was a grind.
She won by roughly 4 percentage points. In a state that has been leaning deeper blue in federal elections, that narrow margin tells you everything you need to know about the mood of the electorate. People are frustrated. They’re tired of the tolls on the Parkway going up, and they're tired of feeling like they can't afford a starter home in the town they grew up in.
What Happened in the Legislature?
If you want to know who won in nj in terms of actual power, you have to look at the State Senate and Assembly. This is where the real sausage gets made, and this year, the GOP actually made some surprising gains.
Republicans picked up three seats in the Assembly.
📖 Related: Why Fox Has a Problem: The Identity Crisis at the Top of Cable News
That might not sound like a revolution, but in Trenton, every seat matters. The "red wave" didn't happen, but a "red ripple" definitely did. Districts in South Jersey, particularly around Gloucester and Cumberland counties, are continuing their long-term shift away from the Democratic machine. The folks down there feel ignored by the "North Jersey elite," and they showed it at the ballot box.
Steve Sweeney’s old haunts are no longer safe ground for Democrats. The GOP candidates leaned heavily into parental rights in schools and the cost of the state's aggressive green energy transition. It worked.
Local Battles and Ballot Questions
Aside from the big names, we saw some fascinating local shifts. In Jersey City and Newark, the turnout was high, but the internal friction within the Democratic party was obvious. The "county line" might be legally dead or dying, but the influence of local bosses still loomed large over the primary process that funneled into this general election.
One of the biggest wins of the night didn't even have a name attached to it. It was the ballot initiative regarding veteran property tax deductions.
It passed overwhelmingly.
Jersey voters might disagree on almost everything else, but they consistently show up for veterans. The expansion of these tax breaks is a rare moment of bipartisan consensus in a state that usually treats politics like a full-contact sport.
Why the Results Looked the Way They Did
You can’t talk about who won in nj without talking about the "hidden" factors.
First, the "Stay Jersey" movement. Both parties tried to claim this slogan. It’s a grassroots feeling that the state is becoming a playground for the wealthy while the middle class gets squeezed out. Sherrill won because she convinced enough people she had a plan for "middle-class math." Ciattarelli lost because, despite his charisma, he couldn't quite shake the image of being part of the old guard that people are just... over.
👉 See also: The CIA Stars on the Wall: What the Memorial Really Represents
Then there’s the Trump factor. Even in 2025, the former president’s shadow looms large over the Garden State. In the deep red pockets of Sussex and Ocean County, the MAGA energy is as high as ever. But in the crucial "donut" counties—the suburbs surrounding New York and Philly—that brand remains a tough sell.
The Real Winners (and Losers)
- Winner: Public Sector Unions. They backed Sherrill early and hard. Expect them to have a seat at the head of the table in the new administration.
- Loser: Political Pundits. Most predicted a much larger margin for Democrats. The closeness of the race suggests a volatility that the "experts" missed.
- Winner: South Jersey Republicans. They’ve proven that their gains in 2021 and 2023 weren't flukes. They are building a real, sustainable coalition.
- Loser: Third Parties. Despite a lot of noise about "breaking the duopoly," the Green and Libertarian candidates barely cleared 1% of the vote.
The Infrastructure Question
A lot of people voted based on what they saw out their windshield. The Gateway Tunnel project and the ongoing drama with NJ Transit played a huge role in the northern part of the state. Sherrill’s alignment with the federal government to secure funding was a major selling point. People are tired of the "summer of hell" extending into every season.
If you're wondering who won in nj based on the commute, the answer is "nobody yet," but the voters clearly put their faith in the person they thought could shake the most money out of Washington D.C.
The Affordability Crisis
Let’s be real for a second. New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the country. We have the highest property taxes. We have some of the best schools, sure, but we pay through the nose for them.
The exit polls were brutal on this. Over 60% of voters cited "cost of living" as their primary concern. This eclipsed reproductive rights, climate change, and even crime. Sherrill won because she pivoted her campaign in the final six weeks to focus almost exclusively on "NJ Affordability." It was a cynical move to some, but a necessary one for survival.
Looking Forward: What Happens Next?
Now that the victory parties are over and the hangovers have faded, the real work begins. The new administration is facing a projected budget shortfall. The "temporary" corporate business tax surcharge is a massive point of contention. Business leaders are screaming for it to stay dead, while social advocates say the state needs that billion dollars for schools and transit.
Who won in nj is a question with a two-part answer: Mikie Sherrill won the office, but the taxpayers won a slightly more balanced legislature that might actually have to compromise for once.
✨ Don't miss: Passive Resistance Explained: Why It Is Way More Than Just Standing Still
Actionable Steps for NJ Residents
The election is over, but your role isn't. Here is what you should be doing right now to stay ahead of the changes coming to Trenton:
1. Track the Property Tax Relief Programs
With a new administration, programs like ANCHOR are likely to be rebranded or restructured. Don't leave money on the table. Check the NJ Division of Taxation website regularly. The 2026 budget will be the first real test of Sherrill’s "affordability" promises.
2. Engage with Your New Assembly Members
Since the GOP made gains, the dynamic in your local district might have changed. Reach out to your representatives now—before the legislative session gets crazy in January. If you have a specific gripe about local development or school funding, now is the time they are most "all ears" as they try to set their agendas.
3. Watch the NJ Transit Board Meetings
If you’re a commuter, the leadership changes at the top of NJ Transit will affect your daily life more than the Governor will. These meetings are often streamed online. Pay attention to the fare hike discussions that are inevitably coming despite the election promises.
4. Update Your Voter Registration
Did you move? A lot of people moved within the state this year. Ensure your registration is current for the 2026 midterms. It takes two minutes on the NJ Department of State website.
The 2025 election proved that New Jersey is no longer a state where you can just put a "D" or an "R" next to your name and coast to victory. Voters are demanding receipts. They want to see results on their tax bills and their commute times. Sherrill has the mandate, but she’s on a very short leash.
The story of who won in nj isn't just about a name on a ballot—it’s about a shift in what Jersey residents are willing to tolerate. We're moving into an era of "show me, don't tell me" politics. Whether the new leaders can deliver is a different story entirely, but for now, the path forward is set. Keep an eye on the statehouse; it's going to be a bumpy ride.