First 2025 New Jersey Gubernatorial Debate Brings Ciattarelli and Sherrill Face to Face at Rider University
The road to the governor’s office officially heated up on Sunday, September 21, 2025, when Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Democrat Mikie Sherrill met for the first gubernatorial debate of the campaign season. The 90-minute town hall-style event was held at Rider University’s Alumni Gymnasium in Lawrenceville, drawing voters, media, and political observers eager to see how the two contenders would square off on issues shaping the state’s future.
The debate was sponsored by the New Jersey Globe, On New Jersey, and Rider University’s Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics, underscoring its role as a central moment in the race. For candidates and voters alike, it was a chance to sharpen focus on the questions of affordability, public safety, and political leadership in a deeply divided national landscape.
Debate highlights and key issues
The tone of the evening was sharp and, at times, tense. Both candidates pressed their arguments on New Jersey’s most pressing challenges: the cost of living, the state of the economy, and political polarization.
Ciattarelli painted New Jersey as being in the middle of an “affordability crisis,” arguing that rising taxes, housing costs, and the burden on small businesses are driving residents out of the state. He positioned himself as the candidate who could deliver financial relief and make New Jersey competitive again for working families and employers.
Sherrill, meanwhile, zeroed in on Ciattarelli’s alignment with national politics, particularly his past support of former President Donald Trump. She argued that leadership in New Jersey requires independence from national party divisions and pointed to her record of bipartisan service in Congress.
Both candidates also addressed the recent killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, calling the act politically motivated violence and denouncing it as a hate crime. Their shared condemnation was one of the few moments of agreement in an otherwise confrontational exchange.
How to watch
For New Jersey voters who missed the live event, the debate remains widely accessible. It was live-streamed on onnj.com and newjerseyglobe.com, with additional broadcasts available on streaming platforms including Sunset, Roku, Fire TV, Samsung TV, Apple TV, and NewsOn. It also aired on C-SPAN and Sunset, and clips continue to circulate across YouTube, Facebook, and X while you can stream the entire event here at Explore New Jersey.
Upcoming debates
The Rider University event marked the first of three scheduled debates in the 2025 campaign cycle, giving voters multiple opportunities to compare the candidates before Election Day.
- Lieutenant Governor Debate: Tuesday, September 30, 2025, from 7 to 8 p.m., at Kean University in Union. Democratic candidate Dale Caldwell and Republican candidate Jim Gannon will face off in their only scheduled debate.
- Final Gubernatorial Debate: Wednesday, October 8, 2025, from 7 to 8 p.m., at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. This will be the last opportunity for Ciattarelli and Sherrill to debate before voters head to the polls.
Why it matters for New Jersey
With the governor’s seat on the line, these debates are more than political theater—they are moments where voters get an unfiltered look at how candidates plan to tackle challenges like affordability, taxes, infrastructure, and safety. For many residents, the outcome of this election will shape not only policy decisions in Trenton but also the broader direction of the state in relation to national politics.
As the campaign unfolds, all eyes will be on how Sherrill and Ciattarelli adjust their strategies, refine their messages, and connect with voters across the Garden State. For those following the twists and turns of New Jersey politics, Explore New Jersey’s Politics section provides ongoing coverage of debates, candidates, and election news.
The stage is now set. With two more debates on the horizon, New Jerseyans will have every opportunity to judge which candidate can best address the state’s challenges and steer it toward a more prosperous future.
