New Jersey Governor Race Tightens as Ciattarelli and Sherrill Remain Tied

A recent poll from Emerson College reveals that former Republican Rep. Jack Ciattarelli and Democrat Mikie Sherrill are neck and neck for the New Jersey governorship in 2025, each securing 43% support, while 11% of voters remain undecided.

The Emerson survey, conducted between September 22 and 23 with a sample of 935 potential voters, shows a competitive landscape as both candidates continue to hold 43% of voter support. A small fraction, about 3%, indicated they would back another candidate, while a notable percentage remains unsure.

In a recent post, former President Donald Trump expressed support for Ciattarelli, branding him as tough on crime and tax cuts. He criticized Sherrill for supporting policies he believes could harm New Jersey, describing her as aligned with liberal ideas he views as detrimental. Trump stated his belief that Ciattarelli would make a great governor.

The Emerson findings come after various recent developments impacting the race. Sherrill is navigating discussions related to tax and fiscal policies, while Ciattarelli has pledged to refrain from raising sales taxes and pointed to declining revenue and property taxes as issues. He has also accused Sherrill of not being transparent regarding stock transactions from her time in Congress, citing allegations from notable media outlets. Sherrill countered this by defending her record and committing to reducing costs for residents.

Support for Ciattarelli spans a wide political spectrum. Garfield Mayor Everett E. Garund Jr., who previously held a Democratic affiliation, called New Jersey “broken” under current Democratic leadership, emphasizing his support for Ciattarelli. Another former Democrat, Jamel Holly, endorsed Ciattarelli, characterizing his campaign as a viable path forward.

Furthermore, Ciattarelli has garnered backing from labor unions. The International Federation of Operating Engineers Local 825 has publicly supported him, with union leader Greg Lalevie stating that Ciattarelli understands the challenges facing New Jersey residents.

Foreign policy has also surfaced as a topic in the race. Ciattarelli praised Trump’s decision to conduct a U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, labeling it as the “right move” and warning that a nuclear-capable Iran poses a serious threat to Israel.

This isn’t the first indication of a competitive race. A previous poll by National Research Inc. noted a slight lead for Sherrill at 45% compared to Ciattarelli’s 42%, revealing a broader sense of dissatisfaction among voters—54% believe New Jersey is headed in the wrong direction.

Ciattarelli, who previously came within 3 points of Governor Phil Murphy in the 2021 election, aims to maintain momentum among independents and attract support from discontented Democrats. Despite this, Sherrill continues to focus her campaign on financial responsibility. With a significant number of undecided voters still in play, this race appears poised to become one of the most closely contested in the nation.