New Jersey’s June 10 gubernatorial primary has become a political battlefield, pitting Trump-backed Republicans against a fractured Democratic field still reeling from Governor Phil Murphy’s controversial legacy.
At a Glance
- New Jersey’s primary on June 10 features six Democrats and five Republicans vying for the governor’s mansion
- Trump-endorsed Republican Jack Ciattarelli leads the GOP pack with 42% support
- Both parties promise tax relief, but Republicans campaign on sanctuary state rollbacks and federal cooperation
- Trump gained nearly 5 points in New Jersey in 2024, prompting renewed GOP optimism
- Early voting began June 3 and runs through June 8
Trump’s Brand Finds Traction in Blue Territory
In a state long dominated by Democrats, Jack Ciattarelli’s surge marks a potentially seismic shift. Ciattarelli, a former state legislator who came close to unseating Governor Phil Murphy in 2021, has now clinched former President Donald Trump’s endorsement and is making it a campaign centerpiece. “We do that by getting rid of sanctuary cities,” Ciattarelli said of their joint plan to tighten immigration policies in the Garden State.
The message appears to be resonating. With inflation, public safety, and migration surging to the top of voter concerns, Republicans are betting that an America First platform could succeed where moderate strategies have failed.
Watch a report: Ciattarelli touts Trump ties in NJ race.
Democrats on Defense
On the Democratic side, candidates are scrambling to define themselves while distancing from Murphy’s unpopular policies. The outgoing governor leaves behind high property taxes, rising crime in key cities, and an exodus of residents to lower-tax states—making it difficult for Democrats to claim success.
One candidate, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, went viral for staging an arrest at an ICE facility. DHS condemned the action as a “beyond bizarre political stunt,” a criticism that underscores the tension between federal immigration enforcement and local activism.
As strategist Julie Roginsky put it, “The real question will be: do they hate Phil Murphy more or Donald Trump more?”—a frame that perfectly captures the stakes for Democrats.
Sanctuary State vs. Sovereign State
While Democrats argue over how aggressively to resist federal authority, Ciattarelli has pledged cooperation. “My attorney general will not be suing the White House over executive orders,” he said. “We’re not going to waste taxpayer dollars.” In a post-pandemic economy still struggling to regain stability, this message of governance over grievance could appeal to swing voters.
Fellow GOP contender Bill Spadea has questioned the legitimacy of Trump’s endorsement, claiming it was based on a Ciattarelli-paid poll, not policy alignment. Nonetheless, Ciattarelli’s momentum remains unmatched as early voting continues.
The Broader Stakes
This primary isn’t just about one state. With Trump preparing for a full-force 2028 push, New Jersey offers an early glimpse at whether his movement can gain traction in historically Democratic regions. In 2024, Trump increased his New Jersey vote share by nearly five points—a sign that the state’s suburban and working-class voters may be more open to Republican leadership than at any time in recent history.
Watch a report: NJ governor’s race heats up.
The results on June 10 could signal whether the GOP’s hard turn toward Trump will pay off in blue territory—or if Democrats can rally their base by stoking anti-Trump sentiment. Either way, the outcome will reverberate far beyond Trenton, with national implications for the balance of power in the Northeast.
