Democrat Mikie Sherrill, a new Jersey lawmaker serving in the US House of Representatives, is expected to win the State Governor’s race.
In a multi-race race that can be seen as a referendum on US President Donald Trump and Bellwether for the 2026 Midterm elections, Philg Murphy will succeed.
The graduate of the US Naval Academy, the helicopter pilot and former Federal Prosecutors first entered politics in 2018 as the ami-Trump thought of the US in his first term.
The congressman is running against Republican Jack Cattarelli, a state legislator. His victory comes after fellow liberal Abigail Spanberger won the Virginia governor’s race.
At a victory rally, Sherrill said his election victory would bring a “new day” for the State.
“I know these are difficult times. I don’t know that everyone voted for me – but I work for everyone,” he said.
He told supporters that he will follow the principles of nation building and sees this election as sending a message to US President Donald Trump.
“We will follow Lady Liberty’s Beacon. We will not give in to our darker impulses,” he said. “Here in New Jersey, we know this country has never been, nor will it be ruled by kings. We swear by the Constitution, not a king.”
The race to lead the state was neck and neck between Ciattarelli, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, and Sherill in the weeks leading up to the 4 November general election in a reliably blue state that is also considered a bellwether for next year’s midterm elections, where Democrats hope to tilt control of Congress in their favor.
Both focused on the cost of living, with Cattarelli, a businessman and former Republican state representative, using a new tax rate and using a new school tax formula to lower taxes across the state.
Sherrill campaigned on proposed tax incentives for new housing developments and a freeze on utility rate increases.
State Governors are key figures in the US who wield powerful powers that control many areas of American life, including things from education to abortion rights. Governors have a say in issues chosen at the state level.
In New Jersey, governors are limited to two consecutive terms. But they are not limited to non-consecutive terms. The third US state, and one of the original US colonies, New Jersey later had a Republican governor in 1988.
As stations opened up on Tuesday’s explosion, BBC partner CBS reported that some polling locations had received bomb threats prompting a response to temporary closures and a police response.
Sherrill called the threats “a clear attempt to undermine our democratic system and intimidate New Jerseyans from going to the polls to exercise their right to vote”.
His rival Cattarelli told CBS that “there is no place in politics for nonsense”.