NJ Governor’s Race 2025: Here’s who is running in the primary

NEW JERSEY - The race for New Jersey’s next governor is well under way with the primary fast approaching, and 11 candidates vying to replace term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy.

This is also New Jersey’s first governor’s race without the state’s unique and controversial county-line, a ballot design that allowed local party leaders to give preferred candidates prime positioning.

Six Democrats and five Republicans have secured their spots on the June 10 ballot, submitting the required number of voter signatures to qualify as primary candidates before the general election on November 4. Here’s who is running for the GOP and Democratic Party:

Democratic candidates

Mikie Sherrill

A former Navy helicopter pilot and federal prosecutor, the congresswoman now represents New Jersey’s 11th District. Her goals as governor include bringing down costs for New Jersey families, from grocers to housing and healthcare, while improving access to public transportation and fixing aging infrastructure. Sherrill also wants New Jersey to be the "first line of defense" in protecting reproductive rights.

If Sherrill resigns from Congress to run, state law requires the governor to call a special election if the seat opens more than 70 days before the general election.

Josh Gottheimer

A congressman from New Jersey’s 5th District, Gottheimer is also co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. He says he is running to be the "lower taxes, lower costs Governow," aiming to address the high cost of living in New Jersey.

Ras Baraka 

Baraka has been the mayor of Newark since 2014, and is aiming to prioritize economic growth, educational advancement, housing accessibility, and inclusive policies in his run for governor.

Last month, the mayor was arrested outside a federal immigration detention center while protesting its opening. He claims he was invited to a press conference and was arrested on the sidewalk, despite not trespassing.

Steve Fulop

Fulop is a former Marine with a background in finance, who has been the mayor of Jersey City since 2013. His campaign has focused on "comprehensive and impactful" policies, including affordability and sustainability initiatives, along with "meaningful" government reform.

Sean Spiller

Spiller is the president of the New Jersey Education Association and former mayor of Montclair. With strong union backing, he plans to advocate for New Jersey’s educators and students while improving local infrastructure, enhancing community services, and reducing tax burden.

Steve Sweeney

Sweeny led the Democratic caucus for over a decade as the former state Senate president, who "focused on improving the lives of all New Jerseyans." His policies in the run for governor include fighting for workers, disability rights and seniors; lowering costs, and defending women’s reproductive freedom.

Republican candidates

Jack Ciattarelli

The former state assemblyman came close to beating Gov. Murphy in 2021, losing by just three points. He is running again in 2025 with policies to "make New Jersey affordable again," reform government and "find common ground" on abortion rights.

President Donald Trump endorsed Ciattarelli for governor last month, saying he's gone "ALL IN" on the "Make America Great Again" agenda.

Justin Barbera

The Burlington County contractor made an unsuccessful bid last year, running as a conservative third-party candidate to succeed now-Senator Andy Kim. Barbera told the New Jersey Globe that if elected governor, he would "take executive action to protect gun rights, lower taxes on social security and pension payments, and institute cost-of-living adjustments for police."

Bill Spadea

The former conservative talk radio host claims to be a "political outsider, the opposite of the career politicians running for Governor." He says he would defend New Jersey from illegal immigration, make New Jersey affordable, and fix the state’s "crumbling" infrastructure.

Jon Bramnick

The state Senator served five terms as the Republican Leader of the Republican Caucus in the Assembly. Bramnick says he wants to "restore balance in New Jersey" with several policies addressing costs, safety, and overdevelopment throughout the state.

Mario Kranjac

The former mayor of Englewood Cliffs has also positioned himself as a "political outsider" and "unapologetic supporter of President Trump." He plans to work with Trump to secure the border, while lowering property taxes, making the government more transparent, and "protecting life from conception to natural death."

 

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