Why Jack Ciattarelli Fell Short in the 2025 New Jersey Governor’s Contest

Republican Jack Ciattarelli lost New Jersey’s November 2025 election against Democrat Mikie Sherrill. We thought it would be tight, but he lost dramatically. His campaign shows Garden State political patterns.

Famous and successful, Ciattarelli started the race aggressively. His party nominated and elected him governor. In 2021, he was close to winning. Several things went wrong this time. His bond with former President Trump was problematic. He struggled in a Democratic state. Trump’s backing helped him win the Republican primary, but it hurt him in the general election, especially among independent and suburban political voters.

Rising property taxes, energy costs, and infrastructural limitations upset many in the state. Ciattarelli had another issue. His campaign promised to decrease taxes and energy costs, but few believed or understood. However, his opponent’s story of stability, competence, and forward-looking governance appealed to exhausted political combatants seeking answers.

Also important were voter type and turnout. Suburban women, younger voters, and people of color are moving to NJ. These groups preferred Sherrill’s moderate government message to Ciattarelli’s combative. Some key areas favored the Democratic ticket over the Republican ticket. Ciattarelli had trouble convincing followers to vote.

Media and campaign setup hurt him. He sometimes spoke about national culture wars instead than local issues. Because of this, detractors suggested he didn’t know New Jerseyans’ priorities. Many voters distrusted him because he distanced himself from Trump while still gaining his backing.

Finally, time and circumstance conspired against him. Racegoers wanted change but were afraid to take risks. New Jersey wasn’t ready for a nationalist partisan after decades of Democratic governors. People preferred a stable, useful, and less idea-fighting politician.

Cittarelli lost because his brand didn’t work in a Democratic state, his messaging wasn’t well thought out, his coalition members changed in ways that affected him, and his opponent was able to make her campaign look safe but forward-looking. The trend in American politics is for statewide candidates to balance state and national ties. That day was horrible for Ciattarelli.

Sources
Associated Press 
TIME magazine report on Mikie Sherrill’s victory
Newsweek polling analysis