Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill won New Jersey’s 2025 gubernatorial election, defeating Republican Jack Ciattarelli and maintaining Democratic control of the governor’s office. With 95% of votes counted, Sherrill led by roughly 13 percentage points, capturing 1,806,427 votes, or 56.3% of the total. Ciattarelli received 1,385,909 votes, or 43.2%, while independent candidate Vic Kaplan earned 11,265 votes. The overall turnout reached 3.21 million, representing about 48% of registered voters.
Sherrill becomes the Garden State’s second female governor, following Republican Christine Todd Whitman, and will succeed term-limited Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, giving Democrats a third consecutive term in the governor’s mansion, a feat not achieved in New Jersey since 1961. Her running mate, Dale Caldwell, will become the state’s fourth lieutenant governor and the first man to hold the position.
Sherrill performed strongly across the state, winning major urban centers including Newark, Paterson, and Jersey City, and capturing significant support from independent voters, as well as Black and Latino communities. Analysts noted that several counties that had previously voted Republican shifted to Democratic support in this election, contributing to her wide margin of victory.
The state legislature remains under firm Democratic control, with the party poised to maintain its hold over both the Assembly and Senate. This alignment gives Sherrill a supportive environment as she begins her term, ensuring continuity in policy priorities from the previous administration.
In her victory speech, Sherrill highlighted optimism and the state’s direction, stating, “We chose we’re gonna follow Lady Liberty’s beacon. We’re not gonna give into our dark impulses.” She added that New Jerseyans had made a choice that reflects the state’s enduring values.
Outgoing Governor Murphy marked a historic transition by handing the governorship to a fellow Democrat, continuing a trend of Democratic leadership in the state. Sherrill’s win also triggered a special election for her former congressional seat, adding to the political focus on New Jersey in the coming year.
