The latest Emerson College poll shows a close contest in the New Jersey gubernatorial race, with Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Democrat Mikie Sherrill each receiving 43% support among likely voters. The poll highlights a significant divide along age and gender lines.
Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, explained the results: “The first Emerson College general election survey of New Jersey’s 2025 election for Governor reveals a tightly contested race in the Garden State. Young voters, under 40, break for Sherrill by large margins, 58% to 24%. The race tightens to seven points among voters in their 40s, with Sherrill leading 47% to 40%, then Ciattarelli flips the script among voters over 50, leading Sherrill 52% to 36% among this group. A stark gender divide also emerges among Garden State voters: women break for Sherrill by ten points, 46% to 36%, while men break for Ciattarelli by 12 points, 51% to 39%. Notably, women are over twice as likely to be undecided at 15% compared to 6% of men.”
Both President Trump and Governor Murphy have unfavorable ratings among New Jersey voters. According to Kimball, “Sherrill is trying to tie Ciattarelli to Trump, at the national level, and Ciattarelli is trying to tie Sherrill to Murphy and the cost of living at the state level.”
Conservative activist Scott Presler has called on Republican supporters nationwide to focus efforts on New Jersey. He stated: “I’m asking everyone across the country to focus your time, talent, & energy on New Jersey.” In another message he added: “I am asking every conservative influencer in America to come to New Jersey. You all have been blessed w/ huge platforms. Please use your reach to bring attention to Jack Ciattarelli for governor this November.”
During a recent debate between the candidates, Jack Ciattarelli criticized Mikie Sherrill’s financial gains during her time in Congress. He said: “In the seven years that she’s been in Congress, she’s tripled her net worth… While you were sitting on the House Armed Services Committee, you were trading defense stocks.”
Jack Ciattarelli previously ran against incumbent Democrat Phil Murphy in the state’s last gubernatorial election in 2021, losing by just over three percent.
