New Jersey Governor Race Tightens with Sherrill Narrowly Leading Ciattarelli

The New Jersey gubernatorial race between Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli is highly competitive, with recent polls showing a narrowing gap. While some polls, including those by Fox News and Quantus Insights, indicate Sherrill holds a modest lead ranging from 2% to 8%, others show the race as a statistical tie or neck-and-neck, particularly among independent voters who are a key demographic. Sherrill faces scrutiny over a 1994 Naval Academy cheating scandal and controversy regarding the appointments of her children to the Naval Academy, which Ciattarelli has leveraged by calling for the release of her school records. Both candidates enjoy strong support within their respective parties, but independent voters have shifted toward Ciattarelli in recent weeks, contributing to the tightening race. Voter enthusiasm is high on both sides, with Ciattarelli's supporters showing slightly more increased enthusiasm to vote this year. Overall, the race remains close and could be decided by how unaffiliated voters break, making it one of the most closely watched contests in the 2025 election cycle.