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yesterday

Sherrill and Ciattarelli Confront Costs, Shutdown and Records Leak in Final New Jersey Governor Debate

Affordability dominated as a Gateway funding pause alongside a military records leak framed the final stretch of a tightening race.

FILE - Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli, left, shake hands with Democratic candidate for governor Mikie Sherrill, right, before a gubernatorial debate Sept. 21, 2025, in Lawrenceville, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray, File)
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Democrat Mikie Sherrill responds to questions during the first general election gubernatorial debate with Republican opponent Jack Ciattarelli, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Lawrenceville, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
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Overview

  • Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli held their final debate Wednesday at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center with mail voting already underway.
  • Both candidates pressed their cases on the partial federal shutdown and the Gateway tunnel, with Sherrill criticizing the funding freeze and Ciattarelli arguing the state will ultimately get the money.
  • Sherrill reiterated she did not walk at her 1994 Naval Academy graduation for refusing to identify classmates in a cheating scandal, while Ciattarelli urged her to release full disciplinary records as the National Archives conducts an internal review of an improper records release.
  • Affordability took center stage as Sherrill promoted a utility rate freeze and tied costs to Trump-era policies, while Ciattarelli emphasized property tax relief, broader tax cuts, and rolling back energy policies he blames for higher bills.
  • Polling shows a close contest, outside spending remains heavy with a new $500,000 buy from VoteVets against Ciattarelli, and analysts say turnout could be decisive before early in-person voting begins Oct. 25 and Election Day on Nov. 4.