With just three days remaining until election day, New Jersey’s gubernatorial race is heating up, characterized by fierce competition between candidates from both major parties. They are rallying their supporters to vote. Democratic contender Rep. Mikie Sherrill emphasized to her base, “If you vote, we will win.” In response, her Republican opponent, Jack Ciattarelli, motivated his followers with, “Let’s win this race together; the winning team will finish strong.”
New Jersey is one of only two states, alongside Virginia, conducting statewide gubernatorial elections this November. This race is garnering significant national attention, serving as an early gauge for President Donald Trump, especially with midterm elections looming next year in the U.S. House and Senate.
Also notable this November are the high-profile mayoral race in New York, a proposal regarding ballot boxes for California’s congressional redistricting, and three state supreme court issues in pivotal Pennsylvania.
Democrats are pointing to their successes in recent special elections as they aim to recover from last year’s losses, which saw them lose both the White House and the Senate, along with failing to regain control of the House. “The wind is at our backs,” asserted Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Ken Martin recently, stating, “We’ve outperformed in every election since President Trump took office.”
However, Republicans argue they have significant challenges for the Democrats. “Sadly for the DNC, Democratic approval ratings are at a 30-year low, with over 2 million voters lost in recent years,” said Republican National Committee Communications Director Zach Parkinson.
New Jersey
Ciattarelli, having run for governor in New Jersey three consecutive times and nearly defeating Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy four years ago, is feeling optimistic about his chances in this predominantly blue state. Despite a larger base of registered Democrats, recent polls reveal he is narrowing the gap with Sherrill in the race to succeed the term-limited Murphy. In past gubernatorial elections, Republicans have proven competitive, winning five of the last ten.
Trump’s impact was noticeable, having won New Jersey by a lesser margin last year compared to four years ago. A week ago, he joined Ciattarelli on a call right before early voting, which may energize MAGA supporters, many of whom typically don’t vote in off-year elections.
Recently, the campaign faced a stir after reports that the National Personnel Records Center mistakenly shared Sherrill’s military records, which included sensitive details, with Ciattarelli’s allies. Moreover, Sherrill’s past military service survived scrutiny as she was blocked from attending her graduation from the Naval Academy amid a scandal, although she was not accused of any wrongdoing.
In the last debate, Sherrill accused Ciattarelli of “colluding” with drug companies in relation to opioid overdoses affecting thousands in New Jersey, pointing to connections between his medical publishing company and the promotion of opioids as low-risk treatments. Trump further stirred controversy by accusing Ciattarelli of withholding federal funds for the Gateway project, crucial for a rail tunnel between New Jersey and New York. Sherrill, addressing concerns over the project, labeled it as “extremely important.”
Virginia
In Virginia, the gubernatorial race has also been shaken up by revelations regarding attempts by Republicans to sway votes in the attorney general race. Current polls suggest a substantial lead for the Democratic candidate, while Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earl Sears is gaining traction and prompting former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic candidate, to go on the defensive.
Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones faced fallout from comments made two years ago that drew outrage, leading to calls for him to withdraw. Earl Sears took the opportunity to link Jones to Spanberger, attempting to leverage the controversy in her favor. During a heated debate, she pressed Spanberger to demand Jones step aside, citing his “abhorrent” remarks but leaving her stance on his support ambiguous.
New York City
The mayoral election in New York City is drawing considerable attention, especially as the city may elect its first Muslim and Millennial mayor. Zoran Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democratic Socialist, has emerged as a frontrunner after his surprise primary victory in June, facing criticism for his left-leaning proposals.
Mamdani leads in polls and fundraising within the deep-blue city, while former Governor Andrew Cuomo, now running as an independent, trails in the race. Curtis Sliwa, a two-time Republican candidate and co-founder of the Guardian Angels, is also in the contest. Meanwhile, Democratic Mayor Eric Adams, who was running for re-election as an independent, withdrew last month, though he endorsed Cuomo, keeping his name on the ballot.
California
Voters in California will decide in November whether to remove a bipartisan redistricting commission from operation for the next decade. This move would allow the state’s Democratic-controlled Legislature to redefine congressional districts over the next three election cycles. It reflects a strategy by California Democrats to secure additional seats in response to a redistricting process led by Republicans in Texas, a bid to bolster their representation.
Polling indicates considerable support for this Proposition 50, suggesting it could pass.
Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, a critical battleground state, Democrats currently hold a 5-2 majority on the Supreme Court. However, three Democratic-leaning justices face retention votes this year as their terms conclude. This election could radically alter the court’s balance for the next decade, impacting legislative power dynamics and significant issues like voting and reproductive rights.
State Supreme Court races don’t typically attract national media, but contests in important battleground states often draw substantial outside funding, as seen in the Wisconsin Supreme Court races earlier this year.
