On June 10, voters across New Jersey headed to the polls to cast ballots in the 2025 primary elections, selecting party nominees for all 80 seats in the General Assembly and choosing Democratic and Republican nominees in the high-profile race for Governor. This year’s primary marked the first election under New Jersey’s new ballot design, which removed the traditional “line” for candidates endorsed by each county political party.
Gubernatorial Results
Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (CD-11) secured a commanding victory in the Democratic primary, emerging from a competitive field that included several high-profile candidates: Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, NJEA President Sean Spiller, Congressman Josh Gottheimer, former Senate President Steve Sweeney, and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. If Sherrill wins in November, she’ll be the second female governor in the state’s history and the first to hold the office in more than two decades.
On the Republican side, former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli clinched the nomination, defeating conservative radio personality Bill Spadea and State Senator Jon Bramnick. Ciattarelli, who lost the Republican primary in 2017 and then went on to win the nomination in 2021, coming within three points of Governor Phil Murphy in 2021, will once again top the GOP ticket this November.
The Associated Press called both primary races before 8:40 p.m., based on unofficial results.
A Sherrill vs. Ciattarelli matchup sets up a compelling general election contest between two seasoned, well-funded candidates who offer starkly different visions and governing styles for the Garden State. The race will be seen as early test of both parties’ brands heading into 2026 midterms.
General Assembly Primaries
All 80 General Assembly seats were also on the ballot. While most incumbents from both parties advanced, several races signaled the impact of the new ballot format, where party-backed candidates lost or remain locked in contests too close to call. Among the most competitive contests::
- LD-7 (Burlington County): Recently appointed incumbent Balvir Singh won re-election by the slimmest of margins.
- LD-31 (Hudson County): The Democratic primary remains too close to call. Jerry Walker and incumbent Barbara McCann Stamato are leading, while Assemblyman William Sampson trails by roughly 200 votes.
- LD-32 (Hudson/Bergen Counties): Katie Brennan and Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla currently lead the Democratic field, with Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez trailing by just over 100 votes.
- LD-35 (Passaic County): Incumbent Al Abdelaziz is in a tight race, with final results still pending.
Local Highlights
In Atlantic County, Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small won the Democratic nomination for re-election, setting up a high-profile general election contest in one of South Jersey’s most closely watched municipalities.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 General Election will take place on Tuesday, November 4, determining New Jersey’s next Governor and the full makeup of the General Assembly. As the campaign season intensifies, the Porzio Governmental Affairs team will continue to monitor key developments and provide timely insights to help clients navigate the state’s shifting political landscape.