New Jersey Gubernatorial Primaries Heat Up Amid Trump Influence

Trenton, New Jersey — Voters in New Jersey will head to the polls on Tuesday, June 10, to participate in gubernatorial primaries with significant implications. Nearly a dozen candidates will compete for the opportunity to succeed the term-limited Democratic Governor Phil Murphy.

In the Democratic primary, a crowded field of prominent figures includes U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Mikie Sherrill, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller, and former Senate President Steve Sweeney. The candidates are focused on critical issues including affordability and electability, as they vie for the party’s nomination.

Josh Gottheimer, who has led in fundraising with around $9.1 million, is making headlines with an AI-generated campaign ad depicting him in a boxing match against President Donald Trump. Trump’s influence is palpable in the Republican primary as well, where former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, the 2021 Republican nominee, aims for a comeback with Trump’s endorsement.

Ciattarelli has been running against state Senator Jon Bramnick, talk radio host Bill Spadea, and others. Despite a strong showing in the last election, Ciattarelli’s message has gained momentum with Trump’s backing, overshadowing Bramnick, who has publicly criticized the former president.

As the candidates race toward Tuesday’s primaries, voter turnout is crucial. Advances in early voting show heightened interest, with Democrats leading in registered voters at 37%. The dynamics of the election will be influenced by turnout trends amid a politically charged atmosphere.

The outcome of these primaries is expected to provide insight into broader political sentiments as the nation heads toward the midterm elections. With Republican optimism buoyed by dissatisfaction with Democratic governance, and Democrats racing to maintain control, the New Jersey primary will be a critical barometer for the state’s political landscape moving forward.