Politics in the Garden State never lacks for drama, and the latest trip to the ballot box was no exception. Honestly, if you were looking for a quiet transition of power, you definitely picked the wrong state. New Jersey just wrapped up a pivotal primary season that basically reset the board for the state's highest office.
So, who won the NJ primary? On the Democratic side, Mikie Sherrill didn't just win; she kind of dominated a crowded field that many thought would be a knockdown, drag-out fight until the very last mail-in ballot was tallied. Over on the Republican side, Jack Ciattarelli secured his spot as the nominee, proving that his brand of GOP politics still has a massive pull in Jersey, even after his razor-thin loss in the previous general election.
The June 10, 2025, primary wasn't just about names on a lawn sign. It was about where the state goes after the Phil Murphy era. With Murphy term-limited, the vacuum was huge.
The Democratic Race: How Mikie Sherrill Cleared the Field
Going into the primary, the Democratic ticket looked like a "who’s who" of Jersey power players. You had Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, and Congressman Josh Gottheimer all vying for the crown. It was supposed to be a civil war.
Instead, Sherrill pulled in about 34% of the vote. That might not sound like a "landslide" in a two-person race, but in a six-way split with heavy hitters, it was a statement.
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| Candidate | Primary Vote Share |
|---|---|
| Mikie Sherrill | 34.0% |
| Ras Baraka | 20.7% |
| Steve Fulop | 16.0% |
| Josh Gottheimer | 11.6% |
| Sean Spiller | 10.6% |
| Stephen Sweeney | 7.1% |
Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot, really leaned into her "prosecutor and pilot" persona. She managed to snag endorsements that mattered, flipping key counties like Hudson and Ocean late in the game. People forget that Steve Fulop was actually the first to jump into this race years ago. He built a massive ground game, but Sherrill’s momentum in the final three months was just too much.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka put up a strong fight, especially in urban centers. He finished second with about 21%. He spoke a lot about "forgotten" Jersey—the families struggling with Newark's rising rents and the wealth gap. It resonated, but not enough to bridge the gap with suburban voters in places like Morris County.
The Republican Side: Jack Ciattarelli’s Comeback
If the Democratic primary was a chaotic six-way scramble, the Republican primary was more about whether the party wanted to stay the course or take a sharp turn. Jack Ciattarelli won with a massive 67.8% of the vote.
He was up against Bill Spadea, the high-energy radio host who many thought might pull an upset by leaning hard into more populist, Trump-aligned rhetoric. Spadea did well with a specific segment of the base, pulling about 22%, but he couldn't touch Jack’s institutional support.
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Ciattarelli’s win was basically a mandate. Republican voters in New Jersey seem to remember how close he came to beating Murphy in 2021—he only lost by about 3 points that year—and they want a rematch with the Democratic machine.
Beyond the Governor's Mansion: State Assembly Results
It wasn't just about the top of the ticket. Every single seat in the New Jersey General Assembly was up for grabs. This is where things got kinda technical and, frankly, a bit messy in some districts.
In the 1st Legislative District, the incumbents Erik Simonsen and Antwan McClellan held their ground for the GOP. They’ve turned that southern tip of the state into a Republican stronghold over the last few cycles.
Meanwhile, in the 2nd District, we saw a bit of a split. Don Guardian (R) and Maureen Rowan (D) emerged as the winners for the two assembly seats. It's one of those "purple" areas where voters aren't afraid to split their tickets if they like the individual candidate.
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Why the "County Line" Drama Mattered
You can't talk about who won the NJ primary without mentioning the "line." For decades, New Jersey used a unique ballot design that gave a massive advantage to candidates endorsed by county party bosses.
Thanks to a massive legal battle led by Andy Kim and other reformers, that system was largely dismantled for the 2025 primaries. This changed the math. Candidates had to actually campaign to voters rather than just cozying up to a few political chairs in a back room.
What This Means for Your Wallet
The primary winners didn't just win on personality. There were three big issues that moved the needle:
- Affordability: This is the big one. Sherrill promised to freeze utility rate hikes on day one. Ciattarelli, meanwhile, hammered home a "lower property taxes or bust" message.
- Education: From parental rights to school funding formulas, the "culture war" in schools was a background hum throughout the primary, especially in the GOP race.
- Transit: With the Gateway Tunnel project and NJ Transit's "fiscal cliff" looming, North Jersey voters, in particular, were looking for someone who could actually make the trains run on time without doubling the fare.
Honestly, the June primary was just the appetizer. The general election in November showed us that the primary winners were well-picked by their bases. Sherrill eventually went on to defeat Ciattarelli in the general with about 56% of the vote, making her the first female Democratic governor in the state's history.
Actionable Steps for NJ Voters
Now that the primary and subsequent general election are in the rearview mirror, New Jerseyans should keep an eye on the transition.
- Track the Transition: Watch who Mikie Sherrill appoints to her cabinet. These "unelected" officials often have more impact on your daily life than the governor herself.
- Check Your Registration: Even if you voted in the primary, make sure your status is active at the NJ Division of Elections before the next local cycle.
- Local Council Meetings: Primary winners often set the tone, but local budgets are where your property taxes are actually decided. Attend your town's next council meeting to see how state-level changes are trickling down.
The primary results proved that New Jersey voters are looking for a mix of experience and a fresh perspective. Whether you're happy with the winners or not, the 2025 primary officially ended the "old way" of doing business in Trenton.