Election 2025: New Jersey Gubernatorial and Legislative Elections

Governor: Mikie Sherrill (D) Victory 

Democratic former Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill won New Jersey’s 2025 gubernatorial election, defeating Republican Jack Ciattarelli in one of the most closely watched races of the year. Sherrill secured approximately 56.4% of the vote to Ciattarelli’s 43%, with third-party and write-in candidates making up the remainder. Her victory marks a continuity of Democratic leadership in New Jersey following two terms under outgoing Gov. Phil Murphy and affirms the state’s Democratic lean even amid growing concerns about affordability and public safety. 

Sherrill, a Navy veteran and former federal prosecutor, ran as a moderate Democrat with an emphasis on pragmatic leadership. Her campaign focused squarely on affordability, pledging to freeze electric utility rates, expand property tax relief programs and oppose any regressive tax hikes. She also sought to distance herself from some of Murphy’s more progressive stances, framing herself instead as an independent-minded “change agent” willing to challenge special interests and entrenched state bureaucracy. 

Republican Jack Ciattarelli, a former state legislator who narrowly lost the 2021 gubernatorial race, mounted a vigorous challenge. He centered his message on tax relief, crime and public education, gaining traction particularly in South Jersey and suburban swing areas. However, his ties to President Donald Trump, despite efforts to downplay them, became a central line of attack from Sherrill’s campaign and allied Democratic groups. Democrats blanketed the airwaves with messaging linking Ciattarelli to Trump-era policies, betting that Trump’s continued unpopularity in New Jersey would galvanize Democratic turnout and peel away independents.

Sherrill’s victory reflects a successful balancing act: she retained urban and suburban Democratic voters, attracted independents with a centrist image and benefited from strong turnout in North Jersey, particularly in Essex, Hudson and Bergen counties. While Ciattarelli made gains in traditionally blue areas like Monmouth and Gloucester counties and improved on his 2021 performance, he failed to overcome Democrats’ organizational advantages and statewide registration edge. 

In her victory speech, Sherrill emphasized her commitment to an “affordability agenda” and called on legislators to work with her to lower property taxes, rein in utility bills and expand economic opportunity. Her win was seen as a strategic morale boost for Democrats heading into the 2026 midterms, reinforcing the effectiveness of tying GOP candidates to the Trump brand, even in non-federal contests. 

General Assembly (80 Seats)

On Nov. 4, 2025, the Democratic Party in New Jersey not only retained control of the General Assembly but expanded its majority. Entering the election with 52 seats, Democrats are likely to increase their number to at least 55, a two‑thirds super‑majority and the largest Democratic foothold in the chamber since 1973, according to the New Jersey Monitor. The surge included flipping key districts in suburban and South Jersey, such as the 8th and 21st districts, underscoring widening support beyond traditional urban strongholds.

Gubernatorial and Legislative Synergies

With the election of Sherrill and a strengthened Democratic legislature, New Jersey now enjoys a clear “trifecta”, control of the executive branch and both legislative chambers. This alignment gives the incoming administration and legislative leadership powerful capacity to push policy. The expanded majority also reduces reliance on bipartisan deal‑making, giving Democrats a freer hand—though they still face political pressure to deliver results on priorities like affordability, housing and infrastructure.

Policy Priorities and Political Signals

• Affordability and Taxes: The results illustrate voter demand for relief on high property taxes, utility costs and housing burdens. Sherrill’s campaign message on freezing utility rates and increasing state aid to municipalities resonated widely in suburban districts.

• Transportation and Infrastructure: With deeper partisan control, legislators may tackle major projects such as NJ Transit reform, the Gateway Tunnel expansion and suburban infrastructure upgrades with greater urgency and less obstruction.

• Budget and Oversight: The strengthened Democratic position could enable increased investment in education and climate initiatives, but it also raises expectations for oversight and fiscal discipline—especially given recent concerns about state debt and accountability.

Political and Structural Dynamics

• National Context: The results are being interpreted as a rebuke of Trump‑era politics in the suburbs and a victory for moderate‑progressive Democratic messaging focused on cost‑of‑living issues rather than purely ideological identity politics.

• Suburban Performance: Gains in Monmouth, Burlington and Union counties demonstrate that Democrats are holding ground in previously competitive suburban districts—a sign that the state’s political map may be shifting even more to their advantage.

• GOP Outlook: For Republicans, the face of the state remains challenging. The stronger Democratic majority may force the party to rethink suburban appeal, outreach strategy and candidate recruitment ahead of 2026.

The Bottom Line

New Jersey’s 2025 election results mark not just a retention of power for Democrats but a gain in legislative dominance setting the stage for an aggressive policy agenda. With the party’s Assembly majority expanding, Gov.‑elect Sherrill and her legislative partners have the institutional leverage to act swiftly. The key test now: turning the expanded margin into meaningful outcomes on taxes, transit, housing and affordability before voter patience wears thin. For Republicans, the takeaway is crystal clear: the state’s suburbs remain contested territory, and future success will hinge on recalibrating messaging and rebuilding bridges in communities still feeling economic strain.

---

This document is intended to provide you with general information regarding 2025 election results. The contents of this document are not intended to provide specific legal advice. If you have any questions about the contents of this document or if you need legal advice as to an issue, please contact the attorneys listed or your regular Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP attorney. This communication may be considered advertising in some jurisdictions. The information in this article is accurate as of the publication date. Because the law in this area is changing rapidly, and insights are not automatically updated, continued accuracy cannot be guaranteed.