Former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli cruised to the Republican nomination and U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill scored a decisive victory in a heated and crowded battle for the Democratic nomination in Tuesday’s primary election.

In a uniquely expensive and competitive field of six Democratic candidates where U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill was the winner, it wasn’t even close.

U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill won the Democratic primary election for New Jersey governor in 2025, defeating a crowded field of candidates.

The race to become the next governor of New Jersey heated up on Tuesday as voters hit the polls for the major parties' respective primaries. With Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy term-limited, six Democrats and five Republicans are now vying for the state's top job in a race that could shape the future of the Garden State.

Democrats will choose a nominee for New Jersey governor from among six prominent candidates, including two big-city mayors, two members of Congress and two union leaders. With a redesigned ballot intended to give all candidates a fair shot, it is the first race in decades that was not largely predetermined by local party leaders.

Few issues were reported at the polls as Democrats and Republicans choose their nominees to succeed Gov. Phil Murphy.

Rep. Mikie Sherrill enters the Democratic contest for governor with several key advantages, but uncertainty looms.