2025 New Jersey gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2025 United States gubernatorial elections.

The 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 4, 2025, to elect the governor of New Jersey. Incumbent Democratic Governor Phil Murphy is term-limited and ineligible to seek a third consecutive term. Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican nominee for governor in 2021, has stated he intends to run again.

2025 New Jersey gubernatorial election

← 2021 November 4, 2025 2029 →

Party Democratic Republican

Incumbent Governor Phil Murphy Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• Steven Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City (2013–present)^[1]

Publicly expressed interest

• Stephen Sweeney, former President of the New Jersey Senate (2010–2022) from the 3rd district (2002–2022)^[2]
• Derek Armstead, Mayor of Linden (2015–present)^[3]
• Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark (2014–present)^[4]
• Mikie Sherrill, U.S. Representative from New Jersey's 11th congressional district (2019–present)^[5][6]
• Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Representative for New Jersey's 5th congressional district (2017–present)^[6]
• Sean Spiller, mayor of Montclair (2020–present) and President of the New Jersey Education Association ^[7]

Potential

• Craig Coughlin, Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly (2018–present) from the 19th district (2010–present)^[8]
• Christopher Durkin, Essex County Clerk (2006–present)^[9]
• Jim Johnson, former U.S. Under Secretary of the Treasury for Enforcement and candidate for Governor of New Jersey in 2017^[5]
• Paul Sarlo, state senator from the 36th district (2003–present)^[5]
• Andre Sayegh, mayor of Paterson (2018–present)^[10]
• Nicholas Scutari, President of the New Jersey Senate (2022–present) from the 22nd district (2004–present)^[5]
• John Wisniewski, former state assemblyman from the 19th district (1996–2018), former Chair of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, and candidate for governor in 2017^[7]

Declined

• Cory Booker, U.S. Senator (2013–present) and candidate for President of the United States in 2020^[11]
• Tahesha Way, Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey (2023–present) and Secretary of State of New Jersey (2018–present)^[12]

Endorsements

Steven Fulop

State legislators

• Sadaf Jaffer, state assemblywoman from the 16th district (2022–present)^[13]
• Nicholas Sacco, state senator from the 32nd district (1994–present) and mayor of North Bergen (1991–present)^[14]

Local officials

• Reed Gusciora, mayor of Trenton^[15]
• Marty Small Sr., mayor of Atlantic City^[15]
• 11 other mayors^[15]

Party officials

• Tom Palmieri, chair of the Warren County Democratic Party (2013–present)^[16]
• Anthony Vainieri Jr, chair of the Hudson County Democratic Party (2022–present) and former chair of the Hudson County Board of Commissioners from the 8th district (2016–2023)^[17]

Labor unions

• Amalgamated Transit Union - International and New Jersey State Council^[18]
• American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees - National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees District 1199J^[19]
• International Brotherhood of Teamsters - Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes and Locals 641, 2906, and 3082^[20]
• United Transportation Union Local 60^[21]

Stephen Sweeney

Labor unions

• New Jersey State Building Trades Council^[22]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Jack Ciattarelli, former state assemblyman from the 16th district (2011–2018), nominee for governor in 2021 and candidate in 2017^[23]

Publicly expressed interest

• Jon Bramnick, state senator from the 21st district (2022–present) and former Minority Leader of the New Jersey General Assembly (2012–2022) from the 21st district (2003–2022)^[24]
• Bill Spadea, talk show host, businessman, and nominee for New Jersey's 12th congressional district in 2004^[25][26]
• Holly Schepisi, state senator from the 39th district (2021–present)^[7]
• Mike Testa, state senator from the 1st district (2019–present) and chair of the Cumberland County Republican Party (2014–present)^[7]

Potential

• Declan O'Scanlon, state senator from the 13th district (2018–present)^[7]

References

1. Wildstein, David (April 11, 2023). "Fulop announces bid for Governor in 2025". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
2. Wildstein, David (December 14, 2021). "Sweeney tells plumbers union he's running for governor". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
3. Wildstein, David (May 2, 2023). "Linden mayor touts himself as gubernatorial candidate". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
4. Pizarro, Max (May 4, 2022). "With Jones at His Side for Mayor, Baraka Teases a 2025 Guv Run". Insider NJ. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
5. Wildstein, David (June 8, 2023). "Sherrill Adds Lawrence And DeMicco To Campaign Team". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
6. Wildstein, David (July 11, 2023). "Matching funds for governor's race won't be available until 2025". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
7. "In first poll of the 2025 N.J. governor's race, Democratic race is 'wide open' and Ciattarelli is best known Republican". February 9, 2023.
8. Pizarro, Max (June 21, 2023). "Source: Coughlin 'Going in the Direction of Governor'". Insider NJ. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
9. "Who Should Democrats Run Among Just These Three?". February 17, 2023.
10. Wildstein, David (July 22, 2022). "Hudson Democratic county chairman endorses Fulop for governor in 2025". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
11. Wildstein, David (February 14, 2022). "Booker says no to possible run for N.J. governor". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
12. Wildstein, David (September 7, 2023). "Murphy chooses Tahesha Way as Lt. Governor". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
13. Wildstein, David (September 18, 2023). "Sadaf Jaffer endorses Fulop for governor". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
14. Israel, Daniel (October 13, 2022). "Sacco endorses Fulop for New Jersey governor at annual fundraiser". The Hudson Reporter. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
15. Wildstein, David (September 12, 2023). "Two More Mayors Endorse Fulop For Governor". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
16. Wildstein, David (June 15, 2023). "Fulop wins his second county chairman endorsement". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
17. Wildstein, David (April 13, 2023). "Fulop secures Hudson endorsements and the organization line for governor in key N.J. county". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
18. Wildstein, David (May 11, 2023). "Fulop scores first labor endorsement of '25 governor's race". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
19. Wildstein, David (July 27, 2023). "Healthcare union backs Fulop in '25 governor's race". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
20. Wildstein, David (June 22, 2023). "Four Teamsters unions endorse Fulop for governor". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
21. Wildstein, David (September 5, 2023). "Another labor union endorses Fulop for Governor". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
22. Wildstein, David (September 20, 2022). "Building Trades pledge support of Sweeney for governor". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
23. "After Conceding, Jack Ciattarelli Says He Will Run Again for NJ Governor in 2025". WNBC. November 12, 2021.
24. Arco, Matt (April 12, 2023). "Fulop is running for N.J. governor. Here's who else could be in the 2025 race to succeed Murphy". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
25. Wildstein, David (June 5, 2023). "PAC wars begin in '25 N.J. Governor's race, with Spadea outraising Ciattarelli". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
26. Friedman, Matt (July 28, 2023). "Pro-Trump radio host who may run for New Jersey governor raised a lot for candidates, but hasn't spent much on them". Politico. Retrieved July 28, 2023.

External links

Official campaign websites

• Steven Fulop (D) for Governor