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.