New Jersey’s Race for Governor Hits Final Stretch
The race for governor of New Jersey is hitting its final stretch today, and it is going to be a critical one that will shape the state for years to…
HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 27: New Jersey Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli participates in a campaign event with local residents on October 27, 2021 in Hoboken, New Jersey. Ciattarelli, who is running against Democratic incumbent Phil Murphy, has promised to reduce taxes and a streamline the state budget if elected. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
The race for governor of New Jersey is hitting its final stretch today, and it is going to be a critical one that will shape the state for years to come.
Incumbent Democrat Phil Murphy is reportedly leading by as many as nine points over his GOP challenger Jack Ciattrelli, a lead that was once double-digits. Murphy has tried to label Ciattrelli as an extension of the right-wing extremism of Donald Trump, while Cattarelli has tried to portray the Governor as out-of-touch with New Jersey's families and taxpayers.
The race has national consequences as well. New Jersey is one of two states with high profile gubernatorial races; the other being Virginia where former Governor and DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe is facing a stiff challenge from Republican Glenn Youngkin. Republicans are trying to portray the races as an indictment of President Joe Biden's policies and a preview of the 2022 midterms, while Democrats are using these races as another example of Americans recovering from "Trumpism."
One interesting note about the New Jersey Gubernatorial race is this: Governor Murphy is trying to become the first Democrat to win re-election in the state of New Jersey -- a predominantly blue state -- since Brendon Bryne in 1977.
Murphy has pulled out all the stops, including bringing in "Big Names" to support his campaign, including: former President Barack Obama, Senator Bernie Sanders, Vice President Kamala Harris, President Biden, and First Lady Jill Biden.
In addition to the gubernatorial race, all 120 Assembly seats are up for grabs in the Garden state, and there are a number of mayoral elections including Jersey City and Parsippany. There is also a race for Bergen County Clerk.
Polls will open at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, and will remain open until 8 p.m. Unlike last year where COVID-19 kept most polling locations closed, residents can return to the voting booth this year. You can find your polling booth here!
Vote by mail is still an option. Resident can drop off their mail-in-ballots at local election boards until 8 p.m. Tuesday. Early voting completed on Sunday.
