New Jersey Gubernatorial Race Heats Up

Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican candidate for governor in New Jersey, is focusing on vital local issues like taxes and housing as he heads into the election on Tuesday. Meanwhile, his Democratic opponent, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, is calling in notable figures from the national stage to bolster her campaign, which has struggled to gain traction.

Sherrill, 53, is attempting to position the election as a referendum on Republican former President Trump. With the polls showing a tight race, she’s rallying well-known Democratic supporters to engage potential voters.

At a spirited event with former President Barack Obama in Newark, she proclaimed, “My fight does not and will not end at the New Jersey border.”

“We have to deal with every blow that comes from President Trump and Washington, D.C.,” she added.

In contrast, Ciattarelli, 63, seems to have dismissed the need for outside help in his campaign.

“Candidates have to win races,” he asserted last week. “I know my opponent is going to bring this person, that person. She could bring the ghost of FDR; it doesn’t matter.”

His emphasis on local campaigning shows his determination. “At the end of the day, here in New Jersey, candidates have to go out and win elections. That’s exactly what I do every day.”

During a rally, Sherrill labeled New Jersey as “the gateway to America,” claiming that her campaign is “fighting for the future of our country in this moment.” Earlier in the day, she dramatically called the state “the heart of our democracy.”

Sherrill’s attempts to sway voters have included appearances with various Democratic heavyweights, from Buttigieg to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. However, notable figures from the party’s left, like Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have been noticeably absent, perhaps because they could risk alienating some moderate voters.

The involvement of prominent party figures underscores how close the gubernatorial race has become, especially given Ciattarelli’s surprisingly strong performance in the previous election.

Democratic leaders have echoed sentiments about the political climate. President Obama reflected on the current state of affairs, remarking that “our country and our politics are in a pretty bleak place right now.”

Ciattarelli, while clashing with several high-profile Republicans, remains focused on his campaign strategies. He even hosted a call with Trump last month during which the former president criticized Sherrill.

Despite Trump’s unpopularity in New Jersey, Ciattarelli seems to overlook the potential impacts, seeking to rally the Republican base without turning away Democratic voters, who represent a significant majority.

Sherrill has noticed that discussing cultural issues, such as women’s sports and sanctuary states, resonates deeply with voters. “Every time I say I’m going to lower taxes, I get a little applause. But when I mention taking plastic bags home, it’s a whole different story,” Ciattarelli noted at a rally in Old Bridge, where his plastic bag comments received significant cheers from attendees.

Ciattarelli’s commitment to ending the state’s sanctuary status for immigrants also helps energize his base, with various supporters voicing their concerns about social issues. After a rally, a supporter expressed her view on gender differences in sports, saying, “Boys and girls, men and women, we’re built differently.”

As for Ciattarelli’s critique of the Democratic side, he stated, “[Sherrill’s] going to be reminded every day that she is a woman. That’s okay. But I’m here to tell you,” he joked, adding humor that brought laughter from the crowd.

Despite addressing some controversial social issues, Ciattarelli believes the primary concerns for voters lie elsewhere. “There are four major issues across the state: We face an affordability crisis due to taxes and high utility costs, as well as issues regarding housing. There’s also a security crisis, stemming from how we’ve managed our local police,” he shared in a recent interview.

With early voting and mail-in ballots tallied, New Jersey’s voter turnout is already approaching nearly half of that seen in the 2021 gubernatorial election, according to recent data.

In contrast, turnout during the prior election was around 60%, a stark difference compared to what’s anticipated for the New Jersey presidential race in 2024.