Democratic nominee and Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill has won New Jersey’s gubernatorial election Nov. 4 and will become the state’s 57th governor — and its first female Democratic governor — after defeating Republican nominee and former Assembly member Jack Ciattarelli. Her victory marks the first time either political party has won three consecutive gubernatorial elections in 60 years.
With 95% of the vote in, Sherrill got 56.2% of the vote while Ciattarelli received 43.2%. Sherrill won by more than 400,000 votes and the size of her victory surprised most political pundits who thought Ciattarelli, who lost by 3 points or just under 100,000 votes to Gov. Phil Murphy in 2021, might pull off an upset.
The business community congratulated Sherrill on the decisive victory and was hopeful her administration will work with them to address the state’s longstanding economic challenges.
“The voters of New Jersey have made it clear that they want our state leaders to address the economy and affordability so there are more opportunities for prosperity,” said Tom Bracken, president and CEO of New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. “Strengthening the state’s economic policies will help make that vision a reality. The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce stands ready to serve as a resource to Gov.-Elect Sherrill and her administration. We all share a common goal – to see New Jersey thrive.”
NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka said she was “heartened to see a much-needed commitment from both candidates to improve New Jersey’s business climate and to give our job creators a more even playing ground from which to compete. We look forward to working with the Governor-elect Sherrill on her business platforms and the many strategies offered in our Blueprint for a Competitive New Jersey to reduce business taxes, streamline business burdens and put our state budget on more stable footing, We hope this is an inflection point to once again make our job creators feel appreciated for the many contributions they make to our economy and our way of life in New Jersey.”
Tom Wright, president and CEO, at the Regional Plan Association, sees the election results as an opportunity for New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and Sherrill “to work together – and with leaders across the tri-state metropolitan region – to build more housing; improve public transit and build the Gateway project; and bring down energy costs by building clean, renewable production, transmission and storage.”
“As the driving force behind the state’s economy, we look forward to working with the governor-elect,” said David Greek, New Jersey chair for logistics industry coalition Circulate. “We hope she will continue to keep an open mind regarding the numerous benefits that the transportation, logistics and distribution industry brings to New Jersey. Working together, we can ensure job growth and economic development flourish in the Garden State for years to come.”
Environmental groups such as the Washington, D.C.-based clean energy group Advanced Energy United, saw Sherrill’s win as a mandate for clean energy solutions.
“Governor-elect Sherrill ran and won on a clean energy platform because of what clean energy delivers: lower bills, a more reliable grid and homegrown jobs,” said Katie Mettle, New Jersey policy lead at Advanced Energy United. “Her victory signals that New Jerseyans understand that clean energy is a winning formula for families, for the economy and for the grid.”
Overwhelming union support was crucial to Sherrill’s decisive victory. “Mikie Sherrill throughout her career has shown a deep commitment to strengthening communities and protecting workers’ rights and New Jersey needs a strong leader like Sherrill, who will protect all New Jerseyans,” said Megan Chambers, SEIU NJ State Council president, and co-manager of the Laundry, Distribution and Food Service Joint Board, Workers United, SEIU.
In congratulating Sherrill on her victory, the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Locals 4 & 5 said, “We look forward to working with her administration to strengthen New Jersey’s workforce, investing in critical infrastructure, and ensure that there are fair practices that will crack down on unscrupulous contractors and the underground economy that has been undermining labor and driving down standards industry-wide for years.”
