President Barack Obama’s last-minute campaign efforts to support Rep. Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey have been criticized by Republican voters as a ‘Hail Mary’ pass, with some labeling it ‘fake excitement.’ The rally, held amid the final hours of the election, has drawn skepticism from conservatives, who argue that Obama’s involvement signals Democratic desperation. Meanwhile, Republicans are rallying to flip the traditionally blue state, citing concerns over taxes, energy costs, and social issues like abortion and homeschooling.
During a Turning Point Action rally in South Jersey on Monday, conservative voters expressed frustration over Obama’s campaign appearance for Sherrill, with some stating they no longer trust the former president’s political guidance. ‘I’ll say this as an African-American, we’re done hearing Barack Obama try to tell us how we’re supposed to vote,’ said Shawn Crump, a New Jersey voter who previously worked on Obama’s 2008 campaign. ‘He let us down, and he especially let down a lot of African-Americans.’
Obama, who is still a popular figure among Democrats, made a concerted effort to rally support for Sherrill, a Democrat running for governor. His presence at the rally in Newark was seen by some as a desperate move to bolster Sherrill’s campaign, especially after a series of early polling indicators suggested a narrowing gap. However, for many Republican voters, particularly in areas like South Jersey, Obama’s involvement was viewed as an attempt to artificially inflate enthusiasm for a race they believe is not competitive.
Despite the criticism, Sherrill’s campaign has leveraged Obama’s endorsement to bolster support, emphasizing a pro-life stance and concerns over education. Local voters like Valerie and Jeff Kliewer have highlighted the importance of issues such as abortion and homeschooling, arguing that these topics are central to the race. ‘The pro-life issue is still huge,’ said Kliewer, a local pastor. ‘Many pregnancy centers in New Jersey have been under attack by the Democratic machine under Phil Murphy, and it’s only going to get worse if they hold power.’
On the Republican side, Jack Ciattarelli’s campaign is working to counteract Democratic efforts, with organizers like Joe Sereday and Cliff Maloney suggesting that Obama’s involvement indicates a last-minute push from the Democratic Party. ‘Usually when the Democrats roll in these big names — Obama, who else was here, Andy Kim, Cory Booker — usually that means they’re desperate,’ said Sereday. ‘This is not even supposed to be a competitive race. We’re in the game. This is a competitive race.’
The final days of the New Jersey gubernatorial race have seen heightened activity from both sides, with Democrats seeking to secure their historical blue state dominance and Republicans pushing for a historic flip. With polls set to open on Tuesday, the outcome remains uncertain as voters across the state head to the polls.