Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Democrat Mikie Sherrill, Republican Jack Ciattarelli win primaries for NJ governor
By
Andrew Giambrone
and
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Jun 11, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images (left) and Spencer Platt/Getty Images
By
Andrew Giambrone
and
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Jun 11, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli won their respective party primaries Tuesday in the New Jersey governor’s race, according to the Associated Press — setting up a November election that will likely hinge on cost-of-living issues and voters’ views on the Trump administration.
Sherrill, a Navy veteran and former federal prosecutor who has represented the 11th Congressional District in North Jersey since 2019, beat five opponents in the Democratic primary, including the mayors of Newark and Jersey City and a fellow congressmember. Her campaign had garnered 34% of the votes by Wednesday morning, with more than 90% of ballots counted — exceeding her nearest competitor Ras Baraka’s total by nearly 14 points.
Ciattarelli, a former state lawmaker and entrepreneur who was endorsed by President Donald Trump in the race, overcame three opponents by even wider margins, racking up 68% of votes by Wednesday. He previously ran for governor in 2021 and lost by just three points to incumbent Phil Murphy, a Democrat who will leave office after this year due to term limits.
The AP called both races within 40 minutes of polls closing at 8 p.m. At recent debates, the candidates on both sides sparred over housing, immigration and property taxes as affordability and Trump’s immigration policies emerged among voters’ top concerns.
“It’s going to take a strong voice to cut through the noise from Washington and deliver for the people,” Sherrill said in her victory speech Tuesday night, before quoting George Washington: “Fix the bayonets, I’m resolved to take Trenton.” She also called Ciattarelli a “lackey” of Trump’s.
Ciattarelli began his victory speech by thanking the president, whom he called “New Jersey’s most well-known part-time resident,” for his endorsement. He urged the state’s Republicans to rally behind his campaign in the coming months.
“Make no mistake: Mikie Sherrill is Phil Murphy 2.0,” Ciattarelli said to cheers, bashing the governor over wasteful spending, affordable housing mandates and his support for offshore wind farms.
After the races were called, Murphy said he would work closely with whomever wins the general election in November to ensure a smooth transition to a new administration. He did not endorse in the Democratic primary.
Other Democratic candidates included Newark Mayor Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer. The other Republican candidates included former radio host Bill Spadea and state Sen. Jon Bramnick.
Tagged
Politics
donald trump
economy
elections
immigration
new jersey
Andrew Giambrone
Read more
Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Dump truck driver hits and kills cyclist on 34th Street in Midtown, NYPD says
It's the latest in a string of hit-and-run deaths in the city in recent months.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Sep 28, 2026 at 4:15 p.m. ET
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.
By
Arya Sundaram
A Brooklyn jail cell filled with smoke. The emergency button failed, a lawyer said.
By
Samantha Max
Crews launch tunnel machines to dig first new Hudson River rail tunnels since 1910
By
Michael Sol Warren
NYC nor’easter dries up after weather service reports minor flooding
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .