In New Jersey, nearly a dozen candidates are vying to succeed term-limited Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, with voters also tasked with selecting nominees for the state General Assembly. New Jersey is one of only two states, alongside Virginia, to have a gubernatorial election this year. These elections often see the incumbent president’s party losing one or both seats. Although Democrats have maintained control over New Jersey’s federal offices and state legislature, the governor’s position has frequently alternated between Democrats and Republicans throughout the past century. The last time a single party held the governorship for more than two consecutive terms was in 1961.
The Democratic nomination race for governor features several notable figures, including U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Mikie Sherrill, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller, and former State Senate President Steve Sweeney. Gottheimer currently leads in fundraising efforts with $9.1 million, closely followed by Sherrill and Fulop, who have each raised $8.9 million.
Immigration stands out as a major issue, highlighted by a recent trespassing case dropped against Baraka. Baraka was arrested at a protest outside a new federal immigration detention center before the charges were dismissed.
In the Republican primary, the competition includes former State Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, marking his third run for the state’s top office. He narrowly lost to Murphy in 2021 by approximately 3 percentage points, having also attempted a gubernatorial bid in 2017. Other contenders for the Republican nomination are State Senator Jon Bramnick, former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac, radio host Bill Spadea, and general contractor Justin Barbera.
Former President Donald Trump plays a prominent role in GOP primaries nationwide, endorsing Ciattarelli in May, despite Ciattarelli’s past criticism of his presidency. Bramnick remains the sole Trump critic in this year’s primary.
Historically, New Jersey’s most populated counties—Bergen, Middlesex, Essex, and Hudson—exert more influence on Democratic primaries than Republican ones. For instance, Essex County, home to Democrat-heavy Newark, led turnout in the 2017 Democratic primary for governor, whereas it ranked lower in Republican participation in 2021, when Ciattarelli achieved almost a majority of the Republican votes.
Below the gubernatorial race, all 80 seats in the state General Assembly are contested this year, though only 25 districts feature competitive races. Voters may elect two candidates per district, ensuring two winners per race. The Democrats currently hold a strong majority in the chamber. The State Senate elections are not due until 2027. However, voters in Bergen and Passaic counties will nominate candidates for a special State Senate election in District 35 this year, although these are uncontested.
Recounts are rare in the state, as New Jersey lacks automatic recounts; however, candidates or voters can request them, with costs reimbursed if outcomes change. A race can be called when it’s evident that a recount or legal challenge won’t change the lead.
As the primary takes place on Tuesday and polls close at 8 PM ET, voters will select nominees for governor, the state General Assembly, and candidates for District 35’s special state Senate election. Registered party members vote within their own party’s primary, while independents can choose either but must enroll in the chosen party.
New Jersey has approximately 6.6 million registered voters with around 37% Democrats and 25% Republicans. In 2021, primary turnout for Democrats was about 6% and 5% for Republicans. Nearly 383,000 Democratic and 339,000 Republican primary ballots were cast, with a significant portion submitted before primary day. Up to Thursday, more than 248,000 Democratic and over 91,000 Republican ballots were pre-cast.
The vote-counting process can extend into the early morning, with the first count typically beginning shortly after polls close. As of Tuesday, the general election countdown stands at 147 days.