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Sherrill Holds Edge as New Jersey Governor Debate Puts Costs and Trump in the Spotlight

Independent surveys show Mikie Sherrill up by single digits even as a Republican internal poll reports Jack Ciattarelli with a one-point lead.

Overview

  • In their first town-hall debate at Rider University, the candidates clashed over affordability, soaring electricity bills, education policy and immigration, with President Donald Trump’s influence a constant point of contention.
  • Jack Ciattarelli pledged not to raise New Jersey’s sales tax, while Mikie Sherrill declined to make the same commitment and said she would declare a state of emergency to freeze utility rate hikes.
  • Sherrill argued her attorney general would sue to recover federal funds tied to Trump administration policies, a tactic Ciattarelli dismissed as wasting taxpayer money as he backed working with the congressional delegation instead.
  • Polling remains split: a Quinnipiac survey of likely voters shows Sherrill leading 49% to 41%, while a National Research poll released by the Ciattarelli campaign shows him ahead 46% to 45%.
  • The contest is one of only two gubernatorial races in 2025, rated Leans Democrat by major forecasters, with ad spending projected around $140 million and early voting set to begin on October 25.