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Voters in New Jersey are deciding the state's next governor in a contest pitting Democratic U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill against Republican former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli. The election will determine the successor to Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, who is ineligible to run for a third consecutive term.
The race has garnered significant national attention as New Jersey is one of only two states holding gubernatorial races this November, providing a key barometer of the political climate ahead of future election cycles. Polling places opened across the state as the matchup between the two prominent political figures culminates.
Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli secured their parties' nominations in the June primaries. Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot and federal prosecutor, first entered Congress as part of the anti-Trump wave in the 2018 midterm elections. Her campaign has focused on issues such as affordability, reproductive rights, and continuing the policies of the Murphy administration.
Ciattarelli, a business owner and former state legislator, is making his second bid for the governorship. He narrowly lost to Governor Murphy in the 2021 election by approximately three percentage points. Endorsed by Donald Trump, Ciattarelli's platform emphasizes tax cuts, parental rights in education, and a tougher stance on crime. The outcome of the election may hinge on voter turnout and how independents break, with analysts suggesting that if there is a surprise to be had on Election Night, it might just be in New Jersey. As results begin to come in, the contest is expected to be closely monitored as an indicator of broader political trends.
