Honestly, this year’s primary in New Jersey felt like a warm-up for something much bigger. The votes are in, and now we know who’s going head-to-head in the governor’s race this November. It’s going to be Jack Ciattarelli for the Republicans and Mikie Sherrill for the Democrats. And yeah, there’s already buzz around how Trump’s influence played a part — and what that could mean moving forward.
Jack Ciattarelli Dominates Republican Field with Trump Behind Him
So, Ciattarelli didn’t just win — he completely swept the Republican primary. Like, he won every single county. And sure, it’s not his first time running (he came pretty close back in 2021), but this time things felt different. Maybe it’s because Trump backed him all the way this time — and in today’s GOP, that still counts for a lot.
He was up against names like Bill Spadea and Jon Bramnick, but they honestly didn’t stand a chance. You could tell early on that Ciattarelli had the support. He’s shifted a bit more in line with Trump’s politics recently, and that probably locked in a big chunk of the base. If you’ve been following New Jersey politics for a while, you’ll know that kind of endorsement changes the game.
Mikie Sherrill Rises to the Top in a Crowded Democratic Field
On the other side, Mikie Sherrill pulled through for the Democrats. There were quite a few people running, but Sherrill — a Navy veteran and former federal prosecutor — stood out. She’s been in Congress since 2019, and people seem to like how grounded she is. She talks a lot about regular stuff that hits home, like rising costs, housing, and public safety.
She didn’t get over 50%, but with so many candidates splitting the vote, 34% was more than enough. Early voting gave her a big lead too. It seems like a lot of Democrats had their minds made up before Election Day even arrived. And with her military background and calm, focused vibe, she’s seen as someone who could really connect across party lines.
270towin has called the NJ Primary election for Gov
— Wake Up NJ 🇺🇸 New Jersey (@wakeupnj) June 11, 2025
Jack Ciattarelli for the Republicans
Mikie Sherrill for the Democrats https://t.co/f0CNxd5n8b pic.twitter.com/yY4GvGJXmT
What This Means for November
The big thing now is what happens in the general election. New Jersey has leaned blue for a while, but Republicans aren’t out of the picture — especially with someone like Ciattarelli leading the charge.
Here’s what to keep in mind going forward:
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Trump’s influence is still strong in state-level GOP races.
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Sherrill is probably going to focus a lot on affordability and housing — two things people in New Jersey care deeply about.
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Voter turnout was interesting. Democrats had way more early votes than Republicans. That’s worth watching as we head into November.
It’s still early, but you can already feel the tension building. Both sides have solid candidates, and the issues on the table are ones a lot of people are personally dealing with. This one’s going to be close.
