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New Jersey‘s Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rep. Mikie Sherrill is making a significant final push ahead of Election Day, appearing alongside Democratic Governors Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Wes Moore of Maryland, both regarded as potential 2028 presidential contenders.
In a boost for her campaign, former President Barack Obama endorsed Sherrill on Friday. “This November, we have an opportunity to chart a different path forward — to reject the chaos in Washington and lower costs in New Jersey — and I’m so grateful to have President Obama’s support and endorsement in this race,” Sherrill stated, praising Obama’s leadership on healthcare during the ongoing government shutdown as congressional Democrats aim to extend healthcare premiums set to expire this year.
On Saturday morning, Sherrill is set to rally with Whitmer in Paramus, New Jersey. Later, she will join Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin for a “No Kings” rally in Montclair — part of a nationwide movement opposing President Donald Trump’s expansive second-term agenda.
On Sunday, Sherrill will lead a policy roundtable with Moore and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who was among several Democratic candidates vying for the New Jersey gubernatorial nomination earlier this year. Baraka garnered national attention when he was arrested for trespassing at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility while protesting earlier this year and faced accusations of creating toxic work environments for women.
Following the policy discussion, Sherrill and Moore will canvass in Newark before Sherrill attends an Oktoberfest event in Hamilton later that day.
A recent Fox News survey indicated that Sherrill is currently leading her Republican opponent Jack Ciattarelli by 5 points among likely voters in New Jersey (50-45%), a decrease from an 8-point advantage in late September (50-42%). As the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy heats up, Sherrill’s lead has tightened, falling within the poll’s margin of error.
New Jersey is one of two statewide elections in the U.S. this year and is viewed as a bellwether ahead of competitive midterm elections next year.
The gubernatorial race has turned increasingly contentious between Sherrill and Ciattarelli in the lead-up to Election Day. Although Trump is not on the ballot, his influence looms large over the New Jersey gubernatorial election.
During last week’s second and final debate, Sherrill accused her GOP opponent of lacking the courage to stand up to Trump, citing the president’s endorsement of Ciattarelli as “100% MAGA.” In response to whether he identifies with the MAGA movement, Ciattarelli stated he is “part of a New Jersey movement.” When asked to rate the president’s performance in his second term, Ciattarelli gave Trump an “A,” asserting that he agrees with all of his actions.
Sherrill countered, stating, “I give him an F right now,” pointing to New Jersey’s high cost of living as evidence of Ciattarelli’s alignment with Trump.
Despite Democrats traditionally dominating federal and state elections in blue-leaning New Jersey, Republicans remain competitive in gubernatorial races, winning five out of the last ten elections.
Trump made significant gains in New Jersey during last year’s presidential election, losing by only 6 percentage points, a notable improvement from his 16-point deficit four years earlier.
Sherrill’s press conference coincided with reports confirming that Trump will hold tele-rallies with Ciattarelli. In what is anticipated to be a low-turnout election, Trump’s support could be pivotal for Ciattarelli, who is making his third attempt at the governorship after narrowly losing to Murphy four years ago.
