Sherrill vs. Ciattarelli: NJ Gubernatorial Race Set as Both Win Party Nominations

By Jim Pytell, Managing Editor On Jun 11, 2025

Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11th) and former state Assembly member Jack Ciattarelli will face off to determine New Jersey’s next governor on Nov. 4, after they both secured their parties’ respective nominations in last night’s primary election.

While both candidates were the favorites coming into primary election day, the races were called surprisingly early, with AP declaring Ciattarelli the winner and Republican nominee just 17 minutes after polls closed, and then, some 20 minutes later, calling the Democratic ticket for Sherrill.

According to AP estimates, Ciattarelli has secured 67.8% of the Republican primary vote (308,331 votes) with 96% of votes counted. Sherrill has secured 34% of the Democratic primary vote (267,455 votes) with 93% of votes counted.

The election itself was historic, as it was the first partisan election with no party-line ballots. It was also the most expensive race for governor on record, with candidates and outside groups having spent more than $122.5 million.  

A former federal prosecutor and U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, Sherrill was able to separate herself from a crowded field of five other Democrats. She leaned heavily on her military experience during her campaign, and raised $2.8 million during the course of the primary.

At the time AP called the race, Sherrill had established a sizable lead over all challengers, thanks in part to her strong performance in votes cast prior to primary Election Day.

Her opponents included Rep. Josh Gottheimer (11.8% of the vote), Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop (15.9%), Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (20.4%), former State Senate President Steve Sweeney (7.2%), and New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller (10.7%).

“It’s going to take a strong voice to cut through the noise from Washington and deliver for the people. So, I stand here tonight doing just that,” Sherrill told her supporters at her victory speech Tuesday night. She called Ciattarelli, who is making his third bid for governor, a “ghost of elections past,” adding that she wants to “write the future.”

If Sherrill is able to win in November, she would be the first female Democrat to serve as New Jersey’s governor. However, a party hasn’t won three consecutive gubernatorial elections in New Jersey in 60 years – and the Democrats have held the governor’s office for two terms since Gov. Phil Murphy took office in 2018. 

On the Republican side, the race was more lopsided. Ciattarelli had received the endorsement of President Donald Trump, which gave him an inside track to the top of the party’s ticket.

When the AP declared Ciattarelli the winner, he had a nearly 45 percentage-point lead over his closest competitor, radio host Bill Spadea. Ciattarelli led in all 10 of the counties that had released at least some votes, by margins ranging from 13 to 70 points.

His opponents included Spadea (21.9% of the vote), State Senator Jon Bramnick (6.2%), construction firm owner Justin Barbera (1.4%), and Mario Kranjac, a lawyer and former mayor of Englewood Cliffs (2.7%).

Ciattarelli is making his third bid for New Jersey governor. In the state’s 2021 gubernatorial election, he narrowly lost to incumbent Governor Murphy by three percentage-points.

In his own victory speech, Ciattarelli said that “a vote for Mikie Sherrill is a vote for four more years of Governor Murphy,” and added that he would “go places other Republicans won’t,” signaling his plans to reach out to minority communities, independent voters, and Democrats that are unhappy with the current state of their party.  

New Jersey and Virginia are the only two states with governor races this year. Because of this, many view New Jersey’s gubernatorial election as a temperature check of what could happen in next year’s midterm congressional elections. 

After their victories, Governor Murphy congratulated both Sherrill and Ciattarelli, adding, “Over the next few months, as the general election ramps up, I know we will see a spirited campaign for governor and all 80 Assembly seats. And I look forward to working with the winner of this November’s election to ensure the smoothest possible transition for the next governor.”

Also on the ballot yesterday was the state Assembly’s primary election. 

The biggest contested primaries were in South Jersey’s 4th District, Hudson County’s 32nd District, and Bergen County’s 37th District. Two Assembly seats were on the ballot in each district.

AP has declared the following winners:

Cody Miller (31.4%) and Dan Hutchison (31.4%) won NJ District 4 Democratic primary with 93% of votes counted.

Amanda Esposito (37.8%) and Gerard McManus (34.4%) won NJ District 4 GOP primary with 95% of votes counted. 

Ellen Park (25.7%) and Shama Haider (22.1%) won NJ District 37 Democratic primary with 98% of votes counted. 

The NJ District 32 Democratic primary is yet to be called by AP at press time, with 90% of votes counted. Katie Brennan (19.4%) and Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla (18.9%) currently lead, though incumbent Jessica Ramirez (18.4%) trails Bhalla by less than 200 votes. 

Despite no official call, Brennan and Bhalla have declared victory.

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