Mail-in voting returns in New Jersey’s 2025 governor’s race highlight a shift, as Republicans, including Jack Ciattarelli, fight closely against Democrat Mikie Sherrill.
On September 26th, mail-in voting data indicated that Republicans have gained ground in the gubernatorial election. According to analyst Michael Pruiser, Republican returns increased by nine points compared to the same point last year. Currently, Democrats hold 63.8% of the vote, a drop of 4.8 points from 2024. Republicans have seen a rise to 23.6%, up 4.6 points, while other parties account for 12.6%. This marks a 3.5-point improvement for Republicans since 2021.
This information coincides with the fact that Ciattarelli has garnered support from former President Donald Trump. After losing to Governor Phil Murphy in 2021, recent polls indicate a competitive race. An Emerson College Survey conducted on September 22-23 showed Ciattarelli and Sherrill tied at 43%, with 11% of voters still undecided. A National Institute of Public Poll survey from early June had Sherrill leading by 3 points, 45-42%, amidst dissatisfaction with the state’s direction.
The campaign has seen heated exchanges during debates. Earlier this week, Ciattarelli accused Sherrill of failing to disclose stock transactions from her time in Congress, while also addressing issues like rising sales taxes and declining revenue. Citing reports from the New York Times and Business Insider, he claimed Sherrill violated disclosure rules regarding stocks related to defense and technology. Sherrill defended herself by underlining her financial accountability and promising to “cut costs at all levels.”
Moreover, Sherrill is facing scrutiny over her past at the U.S. Naval Academy, particularly regarding her 1994 graduation where she was unable to walk due to her failure to report classmates involved in a fraud scandal in 1992. While she acknowledged the consequences, she emphasized her eventual graduation and nearly ten years of service in the Navy. Ciattarelli has argued she is hiding her past from voters, whereas Sherrill reframed the incident to highlight the significance of her military service.
