New Jersey Gubernatorial Race Heats Up Just Days Before Election
ELIZABETH, N.J. – With Election Day approaching, New Jersey’s race for governor is heating up, as candidates from both major parties report strong early voting numbers.
“We’re seeing impressive results with mail-in and early voting,” said Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a Democratic candidate, during a meet-and-greet at a senior center in Elizabeth. She shared her optimism with Fox News Digital on Wednesday.
On the Republican side, Jack Ciattarelli emphasized that “more Republicans are returning their votes by mail than ever before,” in an interview at a restaurant with supporters in Robbinsville.
Key Races to Watch Ahead of Election Day
This gubernatorial election is particularly notable as it’s one of only two in the country held after a presidential election. Analysts suggest the outcome may hinge on which party can better motivate its base. As of now, over 800,000 votes have already been cast in the quest to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, with most being mailed in.
Interestingly, early voting, which kicked off last Saturday, saw nearly 250,000 participants, surpassing early voting numbers from the last gubernatorial election four years back.
Registered Democrats have accounted for about twice as many early ballots as their Republican counterparts, a trend consistent with recent elections.
Sherrill, who has a background as a helicopter pilot in the Navy and served as a federal prosecutor before entering Congress in 2018, expressed excitement about the positive early voting numbers. She reflected on how much better the trends look compared to 2021, the last gubernatorial race when Ciattarelli nearly upset Murphy.
Ciattarelli responded to inquiries about turnout needed on Election Day to counter Sherrill’s early lead without citing a specific figure, but he emphasized the importance of enthusiasm and voter energy. He noted, “That energy indicates good turnout is likely,” while also mentioning growing support in minority communities.
MAGA Support in New Jersey
As part of her campaign strategy, Sherrill is teaming up with prominent figures within the Democratic Party, including former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg for events this Thursday. Notably, former President Barack Obama is set to headline a rally in Newark this weekend, aiming to energize the Democratic base.
Sherrill indicated that such high-profile appearances are designed to generate enthusiasm among voters, stating, “You’re going to see a lot of energy.” Meanwhile, Ciattarelli asserted that Sherrill’s campaign has lacked momentum from the start, suggesting it could be too late for a turnaround.
In the weeks leading up to the election, Ciattarelli has garnered support from key allies, including MAGA star Vivek Ramaswamy and Florida Rep. Byron Donald. Last Friday, President Trump held a call with Ciattarelli which, according to campaign sources, will be followed by another before Election Day.
In a state that usually leans Democrat in federal races, Republicans have found success in gubernatorial elections, winning five in the last decade. Although Trump lost New Jersey in the last presidential election, the margin was closer than in previous years, suggesting some shifting dynamics.
Both candidates have clashed over their ties to Trump, with Sherrill accusing Ciattarelli of aligning too closely with the former president’s controversial policies. Ciattarelli, on the other hand, reframed the question, saying he identifies with a “New Jersey movement” rather than strictly MAGA.
As Election Day nears, both campaigns are making critical efforts to turn out voters amid rising tensions, with the stakes higher than ever.
