As New Jersey voters prepare for the November 4, 2025, gubernatorial election, the race between Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli has emerged as one of the most closely watched contests in the country. Recent polling underscores the competitive nature of the election, with Sherrill holding a slim lead in some surveys, including a Rutgers-Eagleton poll showing a five-point advantage, while other polls indicate the race is within the margin of error.
A central issue in the campaign has been the future of the federal Gateway Tunnel project, which faced potential funding freezes under the Trump administration. Sherrill has pledged to take legal action to protect the multi-billion-dollar infrastructure initiative, while Ciattarelli, an ally of former President Trump, has found himself defending the administration’s position. Both candidates have secured high-profile endorsements, with President Trump backing Ciattarelli through tele-rallies, and former President Barack Obama releasing a supportive video for Sherrill. Beyond infrastructure, voters are also considering how a new administration might handle existing state programs, such as the “Arrive Together” initiative that pairs mental health specialists with law enforcement for select public safety calls.
Meanwhile, the high-profile corruption case involving South Jersey power broker George Norcross remains unresolved. Charges against Norcross were dismissed in February by a Superior Court judge, but Attorney General Matt Platkin has filed an appeal. Oral arguments for the appeal are scheduled the day after the gubernatorial election, meaning the case’s outcome could extend into the term of the next governor, creating a lingering political backdrop.
On the policy front, Governor Phil Murphy recently announced measures to preserve affordable housing and farmland. A notable achievement includes safeguarding the 175-year-old Henry Family Farm in Cranbury, allowing the township to meet housing obligations without seizing the historic property. Murphy called the settlement a “thoughtful and collaborative” solution. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) also unveiled opportunities for redevelopment along the Camden waterfront, emphasizing projects that benefit local residents.
Economic concerns are mounting as New Jersey contends with the ripple effects of a federal government shutdown, which threatens to deplete state budget reserves. State legislators, meanwhile, have been largely inactive for the past four months following a pay increase approved in January, meaning that bills not passed by mid-January 2026 will need to be reintroduced under a new administration.
From South Bergen, State Senator Paul Sarlo, chair of the Senate Budget Committee, weighed in on the issues facing the incoming governor. Speaking with constituents at a local sports bar, Sarlo highlighted three critical challenges: the looming Medicaid cuts from the federal government, the rising cost of healthcare for public employees, and the need to bring utility companies together to address New Jersey’s high energy costs. Sarlo emphasized that these challenges will demand attention regardless of who wins the gubernatorial race, noting that decisions made in these areas will have lasting impacts on the state’s financial stability and residents’ quality of life.
With the election just weeks away, voters are weighing both Sherrill’s promises for infrastructure protection and social programs and Ciattarelli’s positions on fiscal and regulatory issues, all while the Norcross appeal and federal funding uncertainties add layers of complexity to the political landscape.
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As the campaigns intensify, New Jersey residents are closely watching how these critical issues—from Medicaid and utility costs to housing preservation and infrastructure projects—will be addressed by the state’s next leadership team.
