Sherrill’s sweeping victory reflected broad Democratic support statewide.
Democrat Mikie Sherrill, a US Navy veteran and current congresswoman, will succeed Democrat Phil Murphy as New Jersey’s governor after defeating former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli on Tuesday. Sherrill’s projected 56% to 43% victory reflects voters’ confidence in her pragmatic leadership and commitment to affordability, integrity, and government efficiency. The governor-elect has signaled an immediate prioritization of addressing rising energy costs, housing affordability, public-sector spending, and the need to recalibrate clean-energy and offshore-wind initiatives amid economic and environmental uncertainty.
Democrats have not won back-to-back gubernatorial terms in New Jersey in more than six decades since 1961—a rare feat in a state where the governorship has often flipped between parties.
Policy & Regulatory Outlook:
Sherrill began her campaign with a number of pledges, and early indicators suggest the incoming administration will focus on the following areas:
Affordability: Sherrill emphasizes making New Jersey more affordable for working and middle-class families. Her proposals include expanding the Earned Income and Child Tax Credit, freezing utility rate hikes, and strengthening enforcement against price-gouging. Her agenda also includes lowering healthcare and energy expenses and reforming state regulations that contribute to the high cost of living.
Transportation: The governor-elect supports modernizing New Jersey’s transportation network through increased investment in NJ Transit, expedited permitting for infrastructure projects, and upgrades to roads and rail systems. Her goal is to reduce commute times, ease congestion, and enhance statewide economic mobility.
Energy: Following a 20% increase in average utility bills this summer due to electric demand and grid interconnection delays, Sherrill intends to declare a state of emergency and temporarily freeze utility rate increases. She supports stronger oversight of regional grid operators and investment in renewable energy—especially solar, offshore wind, and battery storage—to lower future bills and create local jobs.
Education: Sherrill’s education agenda highlights universal pre-K and expanded in-school supports for academic and mental health needs. Her plan also calls for stronger online safety standards to address the link between digital engagement and youth mental health, along with increased funding for under-resourced districts.
Health: Her healthcare priorities center on ensuring affordable access to life-saving drugs and increasing cost transparency. Sherrill also supports stronger protections for reproductive rights, expanded childcare and eldercare programs, and maternal health equity. In addition, her plan includes auditing the State Health Benefits Program to recover overpayments and control costs.
Housing: With home and rent prices up roughly 50% over the past five years, Sherrill plans to increase supply through streamlined permitting, tax incentives for affordable development, first-time homebuyer assistance programs, and more transit-oriented housing. She also supports property tax relief programs such as ANCHOR and StayNJ to help seniors and working families remain in their communities.
Public Safety & Cannabis Policy: Sherrill is expected to pursue a pragmatic approach to cannabis reform, combining enforcement with prevention. Her proposals include improving compliance with court procedures, addressing gaps in underage cannabis enforcement, and investing in prosecutor-led outreach and youth-related crime prevention programs.
Transition & Next Steps
The transition team is expected to announce senior appointments in the coming weeks, including the heads of key state agencies. Our team will continue monitoring these developments and provide updates as the administration’s priorities take shape.
Assembly Races Overview
Democrats entered election night holding 52 of the Assembly’s 80 seats and are expected to expand their majority to at least 55, a historical two-thirds supermajority. Highlights from key Assembly races are summarized below:
Assembly races in District 2 and 25 remain too close to call. In District 25, Aura Dunn (R) secured a win, with Democratic challenger, Marisa Sweeney, narrowly taking the lead for the other seat.
District 3
Incumbents Heather Simmons and David Bailey, both Democrats, are leading their Republican challengers and are expected to retain their seats.
District 8
Democrat Andrea Katz won reelection, while Anthony Angelozzi defeated Republican incumbent Michael Torrissi and former Assemblymember Brandon Umba.
District 11
Incumbents Margie Donlon and Luanne Peterpaul, both Democrats, secured reelection.
District 16
Democratic incumbents Mitchelle Drulis and Roy Freiman won reelection.
District 21
Andrew Macurdy and Vinnie Kearney, both Democrats, flipped the district, unseating Republican incumbents Nancy Munoz and Michele Matsikoudis.
District 30
Incumbents Avi Schnall (D) and Sean T. Kean (R) are expected to retain their seats.
Note: Official results remain pending as county election officials continue to tabulate provisional and late-arriving vote-by-mail ballots in the days ahead. These outstanding ballots are not expected to significantly alter the overall outcome, but final results will be certified in the days ahead.