Former White House press secretary Andrew Bates and veteran Republican strategist Terry Holt, both affiliated with the bipartisan Cost Coalition, have publicly endorsed New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill. Their joint advocacy underscores the growing bipartisan consensus around affordability as a central issue in the 2025 state race. The endorsement, first revealed by Fox News Digital, highlights Sherrill’s proposals to address rising costs for New Jersey families, a state plagued by high taxes, housing affordability challenges, and inflationary pressures.
Bates, who served under President Joe Biden and supported his campaign during the 2024 election amid health concerns, and Holt, a former national spokesman for the 2004 Bush–Cheney campaign, have criticized both parties’ Washington-centric policies that they say exacerbate the affordability crisis. The Cost Coalition, which includes allies of former Vice President Kamala Harris, has increasingly focused on curbing inflationary tariffs, energy costs, and the national debt, framing its support for Sherrill as part of a broader struggle against Washington’s policies.
Ciattarelli, running on the Trump-backed ticket, has also prioritized affordability, accusing Democrats of driving up electricity costs and promising to eliminate wind farms, expand nuclear power, and introduce small business tax incentives. However, the Cost Coalition’s endorsement argues that Ciattarelli’s approach mirrors Washington’s agenda, which includes trillions in new debt and tax cuts for the wealthy, further deepening the affordability crisis.
The endorsement marks a significant moment in a race that has seen an array of prominent Democratic figures rally behind Sherrill, including former President Barack Obama, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. As Election Day approaches, the contest remains a critical bellwether for national political trends, with Republicans hopeful of flipping New Jersey’s long-standing blue status. The state’s outcome could signal broader implications for the 2026 presidential race, which is still several years away.