The 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial election promises to be a pivotal moment in the state’s political landscape. With a contest shaping up between U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat, and former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, a Republican, the stakes are high, and both candidates have their sights set on leading the state through some of its most pressing challenges. As the election approaches, voters are grappling with questions surrounding affordability, infrastructure, and leadership, all while both campaigns face a series of challenges.

The Candidates: A Study in Contrast

Mikie Sherrill’s candidacy brings a fresh perspective to New Jersey politics. A former Navy pilot, prosecutor, and four-term Congresswoman, Sherrill has built a reputation as a pragmatic leader with a clear focus on making life more affordable for New Jersey families. Her platform emphasizes economic relief, addressing rising costs of living, and ensuring that the state’s infrastructure can support future generations. Sherrill’s focus on the kitchen-table issues facing everyday New Jerseyans has made her an attractive candidate for many voters who are looking for solutions that directly impact their lives.

Sherrill’s campaign also brings an important milestone for gender representation in state leadership. As a female candidate in a historically male-dominated political landscape, Sherrill’s rise signals a shift in New Jersey’s leadership dynamic. Her experience, having navigated complex legislative battles in Washington, D.C., positions her as a candidate who not only understands the intricacies of state and national governance but also has the resilience to overcome adversity.

On the other side of the race stands Jack Ciattarelli, a former New Jersey Assemblyman who is vying for the governorship for the third time. Ciattarelli’s platform centers around reducing taxes, reforming New Jersey’s business environment, and curbing government spending. He is a staunch advocate for fiscal responsibility and often frames his vision for the state in terms of economic recovery and growth. However, his candidacy has faced criticism for leaning heavily on negative campaigning, which has somewhat detracted from substantive policy discussions.

Challenges and Controversies

Both campaigns have faced significant challenges in the lead-up to the election. For Sherrill, a controversial release of her military record—complete with her social security number—was seized upon by her political opponents in a desperate attempt to smear her candidacy. However, Sherrill’s campaign responded swiftly, exposing the tactic as a politically motivated attack. This episode has only served to bolster her image as a fighter, unwilling to back down when faced with unfair political tactics.

For Ciattarelli, the challenges have been more about messaging. Instead of focusing on clear policy differences, much of his campaign has been mired in attacks on Sherrill, accusing her of supporting higher taxes and greater utility costs. These kinds of negative messages may resonate with some voters but have largely failed to elevate the overall debate, leaving many to wonder what Ciattarelli’s actual solutions are for the state’s most pressing issues.

One area where both candidates have agreed is the need for comprehensive reforms to make New Jersey more affordable. However, the way they each plan to tackle this issue—whether through tax cuts or targeted investments in infrastructure—remains a key point of contention.

The Power of Political Debate

With a state deeply divided along partisan lines, the role of the upcoming debates is more crucial than ever. In a special series airing throughout October, Steve Adubato will sit down with both candidates for a series of in-depth interviews. These conversations will focus on the key issues that matter most to New Jersey residents—affordability, healthcare, childcare, and energy policy. As voters tune in, they will hear firsthand from both Sherrill and Ciattarelli about their plans to govern and address the state’s most pressing challenges.

During October 2025, the program State of Affairs with Steve Adubato is featuring two-part, in-depth interviews with the two candidates for New Jersey governor, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D) and former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli (R). These conversations explore key topics affecting the state, such as childcare, healthcare, energy, and affordability. 

Here is a summary of the interviews and their broadcast dates:

Jack Ciattarelli (R)

• Initial broadcast date: The first part of the interview with Jack Ciattarelli aired on Saturday, October 4, 2025, on Thirteen (8:30 a.m.) and NJ PBS (8 a.m., 5:30 p.m.).
• Discussion topics: Ciattarelli discussed his goals for New Jersey, including tackling the affordability crisis, addressing issues with NJ Transit, and proposing reforms to education.
• Rebroadcasts: The interview is being rebroadcast throughout October on various PBS stations and digital platforms. 

Mikie Sherrill (D)

• Initial broadcast date: The interview with Mikie Sherrill is set to premiere the weekend of October 11, 2025.
• Discussion topics: Sherrill’s interview will cover pressing issues for the Garden State, such as the impact of federal Medicaid cuts, New Jersey’s energy crisis, public health trust, and the need for affordable, accessible childcare.
• Rebroadcasts: This interview is also being streamed and rebroadcast throughout October and beyond on PBS stations and online. 

Where to watch

• On TV: The interviews are airing on NJ PBS, Thirteen WNET New York, WHYY, and News12+.
• Online: Episodes are available to stream on the official Steve Adubato website, PBS.org, the free PBS App, and YouTube.

While Ciattarelli has faced criticism for his negative tactics, Sherrill’s campaign has been praised for maintaining a focus on the issues that matter to voters. As New Jersey continues to grapple with the complexities of its economic and political landscape, it is clear that the state’s next governor will have their hands full.

Looking Ahead: What’s at Stake

The road to the governorship will not be easy for either candidate. Sherrill, despite the challenges of running in a Republican-leaning state, has built a coalition of voters who believe in her vision for a more affordable, more equitable New Jersey. Meanwhile, Ciattarelli, despite his history of contested races, has an opportunity to position himself as the reform-minded candidate who will cut taxes and streamline government.

Ultimately, what’s at stake is not just who becomes the next governor of New Jersey, but the future direction of the state. Will New Jersey lean into a future of progressive reforms with Sherrill at the helm, or will it embrace a more fiscally conservative approach under Ciattarelli?

As the race unfolds, it will be interesting to see how both candidates navigate the shifting tides of public opinion and voter expectations. The electorate is looking for leadership that can address affordability, infrastructure needs, and long-term economic sustainability. Whether Ciattarelli or Sherrill ultimately prevails, one thing is clear—New Jersey is at a crossroads, and the choices made in the 2025 election will have lasting implications for years to come.

For more on the 2025 gubernatorial race, visit Explore New Jersey Politics.