New Jersey’s 2025 gubernatorial race delivered a decisive victory for Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who defeated Republican Jack Ciattarelli, signaling a continued leftward shift across the state. All 21 counties saw a movement toward democratic candidates, despite initial GOP hopes following the 2024 federal election where Trump narrowed his losses in the state.
The 2025 results contrast sharply with the 2024 federal election, where Trump narrowed his 2020 losses in New Jersey, though the state remained firmly blue. Sherrill’s victory, with 56.5% of the vote compared to Ciattarelli’s 42.8%, underscores the Democrats’ continued strength in the state. This shift was particularly notable in traditionally conservative counties such as Monmouth and Sussex, where the leftward movement was significant.
Data from the Associated Press highlights that several counties, including Monmouth, Sussex, and Cumberland, saw substantial shifts toward the Democratic candidate. Monmouth County, historically leaning conservative, registered a 10-point shift in favor of Sherrill, while Sussex County, which traditionally supported Republicans, showed a 16.2 point shift to the left. These results suggest a broader trend of Democratic consolidation in New Jersey, even amid national political shifts.
The election’s outcome is seen as a bellwether for the 2026 midterms, where the party in the White House typically faces a challenge. With the Democratic victory in New Jersey, the state’s political landscape remains firmly in Democratic hands, underscoring the party’s strength in the region. Furthermore, the election cycle was marked by other significant wins, such as Democrats’ victory in Virginia and the election of socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s next mayor, signaling a broader national trend toward progressive governance.