The dust has settled on New Jersey’s primary elections, revealing the contenders who will battle for the state’s highest office and a glimpse into the evolving dynamics of local politics. On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, voters cast their ballots, setting the stage for a compelling general election this November.
The Governor’s Race: A Clear Path to November
The most watched race of the night, the gubernatorial primary, saw decisive victories for both major parties.
On the Republican side, it was a swift and clear win for Jack Ciattarelli, who secured his second Republican gubernatorial nomination. Ciattarelli comfortably triumphed over his rivals, including Bill Spadea, signaling a unified front for the GOP heading into the general election. This marks Ciattarelli’s second attempt at the governorship, having previously won the Republican primary in 2021 before ultimately losing to incumbent Governor Phil Murphy in the general election.
For the Democrats, Mikie Sherrill emerged victorious in a competitive field. Her win against a roster of prominent figures, including Ras Baraka, Steve Fulop, Josh Gottheimer, Sean Spiller, and Stephen Sweeney, highlights her broad support within the party.
These primary results officially set the stage for a direct face-off between Mikie Sherrill and Jack Ciattarelli in the general election on November 4th. As Governor Murphy’s term draws to a close, he has extended congratulations to both candidates, recognizing the pivotal moment ahead for New Jersey.
The path ahead for New Jersey’s next governor is fraught with significant challenges. Whoever takes the helm will inherit a complex array of issues, paramount among them the critical question of how to fund solutions and encourage sustainable economic expansion, curb unsustainable state spending, and support job creation. These are central to ensuring New Jersey remains a competitive and prosperous place to live, work, and do business.
Other Key Races Across the State
Beyond the governor’s mansion, New Jersey voters also weighed in on numerous other races:
- Atlantic City Mayoral Race: The Democratic primary saw incumbent Mayor Marty Small defeat challenger Bob McDevitt. On the Republican side, Ahmed Khan ran unopposed, setting up the general election contest.
- State Assembly, County Offices, and Local Offices: Across the state, voters also selected nominees for various State Assembly seats, county-level positions, and crucial local offices, laying the groundwork for many November battles.
- Ocean County: In the Toms River mayoral race, a significant outcome saw Mayor Daniel Rodrick’s opponents secure three out of the four available council seats in the Republican primary, indicating a dynamic shift in local political power.
North Jersey’s Democratic Shocks: The End of the County Line?
Perhaps some of the most compelling and transformative results emerged from North Jersey’s Democratic primaries, particularly in the wake of the recent elimination of New Jersey’s “county line” ballot system. This groundbreaking change appears to have reshaped political outcomes, leading to several notable upsets for established party organizations.
- LD35 (Passaic County): Kenyatta Stewart, Corporation Counsel of Newark, appears to have clinched an Assembly seat. This represents a significant blow to the Passaic County Democratic Organization. Assemblyman Al Abdel-aziz looks poised to retain the other Assembly seat alongside Stewart. Stewart is notably an ally of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who concluded his gubernatorial bid tonight.
- LD32 (Hudson County): In a truly historic victory, Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and housing expert Katie Brennan prevailed in the Democratic primary. Their win dealt a decisive blow to the powerful Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) in the first state-level primary since the elimination of the “corrupt county line” ballot. This independent Democratic slate defied expectations, overcoming more than $1 million in spending by the HCDO and their “dark money” PAC, Hudson Votes Project.
- Katie Brennan, a long-time Jersey City resident and nationally recognized affordable housing expert, declared, “We just showed the whole state that the people can beat the party bosses… This is what democracy looks like when it’s not rigged by political machines.” She emphasized that the win was for “all of our volunteers, local activists, and grassroots supporters.”
- Ravi Bhalla, who has served as Mayor of Hoboken since 2017 and is a nationally recognized civil rights attorney, echoed this sentiment: “We just sent a big message to Trenton: The era of party bosses picking our representatives is over… Tonight proves that when you give voters fair ballots and real choices, they choose leaders who will fight for them over party bosses every single time.”
- The campaign highlighted a clear contrast, with Brennan and Bhalla refusing contributions from corporate special interests (like Turnpike widening contractors and real estate lobbyists) and instead building their campaign through grassroots organizing and small-dollar donors. Their victory underscores the transformative impact of the county line’s elimination, forcing candidates to connect directly with voters rather than solely courting party bosses. Both candidates have pledged to bring an independent approach to Trenton, focusing on comprehensive housing reforms, fully funding public transit and schools, and dismantling systems of corruption. The 32nd Legislative District includes parts of Jersey City and all of Hoboken.
- LD-33 (Hudson County): In contrast to the upsets, the Stack-backed candidates Gabe Rodriguez and Larry Wainstein secured victories, an expected outcome attributed to the strength of the “vaunted Stack machine.”
Looking Ahead: The General Election and Beyond
As the primary season concludes, the focus now shifts to the general election on November 4th. The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce has extended its congratulations to both Jack Ciattarelli and Rep. Mikie Sherrill, acknowledging their dedication to public service. The Chamber emphasizes that this is a “critical moment for New Jersey,” facing significant challenges but also tremendous opportunity. They stand ready to partner with the next Governor in advancing a “bold, pragmatic economic agenda for New Jersey.”
The upcoming months will be filled with robust debate and campaigning as New Jerseyans prepare to choose their next leaders. For ongoing updates and in-depth analysis of these crucial political developments, keep visiting https://explorenewjersey.org/politics/.
