Trenton, NJ – April 11, 2025 – With the June 10 primaries fast approaching, New Jersey’s 2025 gubernatorial race is crackling with energy as top contenders pull ahead in a crowded field. As Governor Phil Murphy’s term limit opens the door, candidates are capitalizing on voter angst over rising costs, propelling a few standouts into the spotlight for the Garden State’s next chapter.

Among Democrats, Rep. Mikie Sherrill is setting the pace, her Navy veteran cred and education-first platform resonating in suburban strongholds like Montclair and Morristown. Polls peg her at 21% support, buoyed by nine county endorsements and broad appeal among moderates. Nipping at her lead, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop is charging forward, hitting 15% in recent surveys. His anti-establishment spark and bold housing and transit plans are rallying younger voters, especially in Hudson and Essex counties. “Fulop’s bringing a fresh edge that’s clicking,” said pollster Maria Alvarez of Stockton University. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka holds firm at 13%, his progressive push for equity locking in urban and minority support, though he’s hustling to expand his base.

For Republicans, Jack Ciattarelli remains the one to beat, leveraging his 2021 near-upset of Murphy for a 27% edge in polls. His relentless focus on property tax cuts and small business growth draws crowds in places like Bridgewater, where his “affordable Jersey” message hits home. Right behind him, radio host Bill Spadea is gaining fast, climbing to 14% with a fiery, anti-Trenton stance that’s firing up conservatives in Ocean and Monmouth counties. “Spadea’s got a megaphone, and it’s amplifying,” Alvarez noted. State Senator Jon Bramnick is also picking up speed, his moderate roots paired with new immigration proposals—like the “New Jersey Laken Riley Act”—stirring talk in Somerset and Union counties.

Economic strain is the race’s heartbeat—62% of voters say things are getting worse, with property taxes and housing topping their gripes. Sherrill’s school funding ideas and Ciattarelli’s tax relief plans are cutting through, while Fulop’s housing production pitch and Spadea’s budget-cutting zeal are turning heads. “It’s about who feels like they get the daily grind,” Alvarez said.

Grassroots efforts are fueling the fire. Conservative activist Scott Presler’s voter drives at gun ranges and fairs are boosting GOP numbers, with Republican registrations spiking in March. On the Democratic side, Senator Cory Booker’s town halls are rallying progressives, preaching turnout in places like Paramus. Social media’s buzzing—posts spotlight Sherrill’s steady climb, Ciattarelli’s front-runner status, Fulop’s urban momentum, and Spadea’s outsider heat.

With primaries just weeks out, the race is wide open. Sherrill and Ciattarelli hold the lead, but Fulop’s rise and Spadea’s push could shake things up. “The ones surging are the ones speaking to wallets and homes,” Alvarez said. Come November 4, New Jersey’s choice will ripple far beyond Trenton.