Mikie Sherrill Defeats Ciattarelli, Becomes First Democrat Woman Elected New Jersey Governor
Rep. Mikie Sherrill defeated Republican Jack Ciattarelli Tuesday to become the next governor of New Jersey, keeping the state blue in a high-stakes race that drew national attention. She will succeed outgoing Democrat Phil Murphy and make history as the first female Democrat to ever hold the office.
“This was a tough fight and this is a tough state,” Sherrill said in her victory speech, moments after the race was called. “I know not everyone voted for me. But I am working for everyone. Every single one of you.”
Ciattarelli conceded shortly after, saying he called to congratulate Sherrill and urging her to listen to the issues raised by his campaign. “Even though we were not successful tonight, it does not mean we were not successful in talking about the issues that matter.”
The final result was shaping up to be a double-digit win for Sherrill despite polls showing a tighter contest in the final week. Her campaign emphasized affordability, tax relief, energy costs, housing, and abortion access. “I’m going to declare a state of emergency on day one to drive down your utility costs,” she promised supporters.
Sherrill, a Naval Academy graduate, Navy helicopter pilot, and former federal prosecutor, flipped a Republican-held House seat in 2018 before rising to national prominence. She announced her run for governor last year, styling herself as a no-nonsense leader focused on kitchen-table issues.
Ciattarelli, a former CPA and state lawmaker, nearly unseated Murphy in 2021 and made a strong push in the final stretch of this race. But he struggled to overcome New Jersey’s blue tilt and failed to capitalize on Trump’s growing support in the state. Trump cut his 2020 margin of loss in New Jersey from 16 to six points in 2024 and flipped five counties red.
The race took on broader political significance as one of just two gubernatorial contests in 2025, seen by many as a barometer for Trump’s second-term agenda. While Republicans gained ground in registration and flipped key counties in 2024, they couldn’t overcome Sherrill’s profile or the Democratic machine.
Sherrill also survived multiple controversies, including the resurfacing of a Naval Academy scandal where she was blocked from walking at graduation after refusing to report classmates. Ciattarelli, meanwhile, threatened to sue Sherrill over claims linking him to the opioid crisis—but never followed through.
New Jersey’s inauguration is set for January 20. Sherrill has not yet announced when she’ll resign her House seat or whether she’ll move into the governor’s mansion in Princeton.