As New Jersey heads into the final days before the 2025 gubernatorial election, political energy is reaching a fever pitch. Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli are locked in one of the closest races the Garden State has seen in decades, and the nation is watching closely.

Former President Barack Obama is set to appear in Newark on Saturday, November 1, for a high-profile rally supporting Sherrill’s campaign. The event, part of a final push to get out the vote, comes as recent polling shows the two candidates in a virtual tie. Earlier this month, Sherrill received endorsements from several national Democratic figures, and this week she’ll also be joined at a Red Bank event by Pete Buttigieg, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation.

Sherrill, a Navy veteran and former federal prosecutor, currently represents New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District. Her campaign has focused heavily on affordability, tax reform, and healthcare access. Ciattarelli, a businessman and former state assemblyman from Hillsborough, is making his third bid for governor, emphasizing fiscal responsibility and government transparency.

With early voting already underway, the campaigns are making their last stops around the state — from Old Bridge to Montclair — as both candidates aim to connect with independent voters who could decide the outcome.

Political observers nationwide see New Jersey’s contest as a bellwether for 2026 and 2028, especially as both parties test strategies for appealing to diverse suburban and working-class voters.

Among the most debated issues are the state’s high property taxes, cost of living, and healthcare affordability. Transportation has also become a flashpoint, with Sherrill vowing to push back against New York’s proposed congestion pricing plan, arguing it unfairly targets New Jersey commuters. Immigration policy has sparked further contrast, as the candidates diverge sharply on the state’s Immigrant Trust Directive, which limits cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

National Democrats are throwing their full weight behind Sherrill. During a recent national organizing call, DNC Chair Ken Martin, alongside governors and senators from across the country, emphasized New Jersey’s importance in shaping the national political landscape. The Democratic National Committee has poured over $3 million into New Jersey’s get-out-the-vote operations — one of its largest investments ever for an off-year election.

Meanwhile, Ciattarelli’s campaign is drawing strength from a growing base of conservative and moderate voters. He’s also hoping to build new inroads with Black and Latino communities, following a noticeable rightward shift among Hispanic voters during the 2024 presidential election.

Beyond the gubernatorial race, New Jersey’s political scene remains busy. In Jersey City, seven candidates are vying to succeed outgoing Mayor Steve Fulop, with former Governor Jim McGreevey emerging as a frontrunner. At the federal level, the state has joined a lawsuit over food aid funding withheld during last year’s government shutdown, and a legal challenge continues over the appointment of U.S. Attorney Alina Habba.

Adding to the mix, the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) reports that county political organizations raised $8.4 million in the first half of 2025 — a record pace for an off-year election cycle.

As Election Day on November 4 approaches, early turnout is strong across the state. With so much on the line — from tax relief and transit policy to education and economic opportunity — voters are being urged to make their voices heard.

And while the political stage is heating up, the cultural heart of the state continues to thrive. For those looking to take a break from the campaign trail and experience New Jersey’s vibrant arts scene, check out Explore New Jersey Politics for upcoming performances, venues, and Broadway connections throughout the Garden State.

Whether in politics or the performing arts, New Jersey continues to prove that it’s a place where passion, diversity, and determination drive the story forward.