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USA Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- USA Today
Democrats embrace an establishment fighter: 3 takeaways from N.J. governor's race
Democrats embrace an establishment fighter: 3 takeaways from N.J. governor's race Show Caption Hide Caption New Jersey governor signs bill making book bans illegal Governor Phil Murphy signed the Freedom to Read Act which will prevent arbitrary book banning in the state. New Jersey voters can expect to have one of the more competitive gubernatorial races later this year now that they have set the table for the fall. Within an hour of polls closing on Tuesday, the primary contests were called for Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli in what will be one of two states, along with Virginia, hosting a high-stakes gubernatorial contest that could lay out the framework for the 2026 midterm elections. Both sides were already swinging before all the votes had been counted, with Democratic groups calling out Ciattarelli's about-face embrace of President Donald Trump, who may take a personal interest in flipping the Garden State. "Between now and November, we will make sure voters remember why they rejected (Ciatterelli's) last two statewide bids," Democratic Governor's Association spokesperson Izzi Levy said. Republicans are beaming with confidence given the gains Trump's populist fueled Make American Great Again movement has seen in the state as of late. "With New Jersey Republicans rallying around Jack Ciattarelli, we are well positioned to hold Democrats accountable for their poor record and work to deliver the real change that has been promised," Republican State Leadership Committee President Edith Jorge-Tuñón said in a statement. Here are the key points from Tuesday's election. It's Mikie: Congresswoman prevails in crowed Democratic field For most of the race Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot, held the lead over her five fellow Democratic competitors but with so many undecided voters some had thought Tuesday evening would go a bit longer. "This was a truly grassroots campaign, and I'm so grateful to everyone who was a part of it, whether you volunteered, chipped in a few bucks, or voted for me," she said in a post on X as the polls closed. "We couldn't have gotten here without your support." Sherrill, the only woman running for governor in the Garden State, was viewed largely as the establishment candidate with heavy support from county parties and other Democratic-aligned groups who still carry weight with years of get out the vote experience and resources. She mostly stuck to her script, presenting herself to voters as a mom and military veteran. But she also focused attention on her record supporting women's reproductive rights and increasing affordable housing close to public transportation. The 53-year-old congresswoman, who was a member of the centrist "Blue Dog" coalition in Congress until 2023, never saw her lead falter in the polls, despite attacks ads that slammed her for accepting donations from a corporate PAC tied to SpaceX, which is owned by Elon Musk. MAGA convert wins as Trump eyes 'blue horror show' A decade ago Republican Jack Ciattarelli was among the outspoken conservatives who felt Trump was unfit to be president, calling him a "charlatan." When he came within 3 percentage points of winning the governorship in 2021, he kept Trump at arm's length. But that's behind both men now, and the president's late endorsement helped propel the former assemblyman across the finish line less than a half hour after polls closed with slightly more than two-thirds of primary voters supporting Ciattarelli as the GOP hopes to flip the state out of what the president described as a "blue horror show." Although New Jersey has been a solidly blue state at the presidential level for roughly 40 years, it turned more red last year after Trump lost the state by roughly 5%. He previously was defeated by about 16% in 2020. In terms of gubernatorial contests, the GOP has better luck in recent memory with Republican Chris Christie prevailing in the 2010 and 2014 elections. Coupled with how well Ciattarelli did four years ago and the Republican trend overall, New Jersey voters should expect a hotly contested − and expensive − general election this fall. What Sherrill's win tells us about Democrats ahead of 2026 Much of the Democratic gubernatorial primary in New Jersey served as laboratory for what type of candidate the party has an appetite for going forward in next year's midterms and beyond. Each of the six candidates brought extensive and diverse resumes, while they mostly agreed on many issues such as tackling cost of living woes. They all tried to stand out in various ways by emphasizing either their electability in the fall or standing against Trump. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, a charismatic speaker with a long history of civic service and grassroots organizing, caught fire in the last weeks of the race, for instance, after being taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during a scuffle at a federal facility in Newark. Stances on hot button topics, such as the ICE raids, didn't seem to move the needle for the more progressive or antiestablishment candidates, including Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, however. Sherrill was criticized by more left-leaning elements in the party, such as the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, for being too bland. The group claimed she was "nowhere to be seen" during the congressional debates over Trump's legislative agenda. But Sherrill, who was carrying about one-third of the vote as of Tuesday evening, leaned into kitchen table issues around Social Security while also advertising herself as someone willing to "run toward the fight" who would "stand up to Trump and Musk." The finally tally, however, could also underscore a remaining divide among on how the party should move forward given that unlike Ciattarelli, who carried more than two-thirds of the GOP vote, a majority of New Jersey Democrats wanted someone besides Sherrill to carry the party's banner into the fall.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democrats embrace an establishment fighter: 3 takeaways from N.J. governor's race
New Jersey voters can expect to have one of the more competitive gubernatorial races later this year now that they have set the table for the fall. Within an hour of polls closing on Tuesday, the primary contests were called for Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli in what will be one of two states, along with Virginia, hosting a high-stakes gubernatorial contest that could lay out the framework for the 2026 midterm elections. Both sides were already swinging before all the votes had been counted, with Democratic groups calling out Ciattarelli's about-face embrace of President Donald Trump, who may take a personal interest in flipping the Garden State. "Between now and November, we will make sure voters remember why they rejected (Ciatterelli's) last two statewide bids," Democratic Governor's Association spokesperson Izzi Levy said. Republicans are beaming with confidence given the gains Trump's populist fueled Make American Great Again movement has seen in the state as of late. "With New Jersey Republicans rallying around Jack Ciattarelli, we are well positioned to hold Democrats accountable for their poor record and work to deliver the real change that has been promised," Republican State Leadership Committee President Edith Jorge-Tuñón said in a statement. Here are the key points from Tuesday's election. For most of the race Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot, held the lead over her five fellow Democratic competitors but with so many undecided voters some had thought Tuesday evening would go a bit longer. "This was a truly grassroots campaign, and I'm so grateful to everyone who was a part of it, whether you volunteered, chipped in a few bucks, or voted for me," she said in a post on X as the polls closed. "We couldn't have gotten here without your support." Sherrill, the only woman running for governor in the Garden State, was viewed largely as the establishment candidate with heavy support from county parties and other Democratic-aligned groups who still carry weight with years of get out the vote experience and resources. She mostly stuck to her script, presenting herself to voters as a mom and military veteran. But she also focused attention on her record supporting women's reproductive rights and increasing affordable housing close to public transportation. The 53-year-old congresswoman, who was a member of the centrist "Blue Dog" coalition in Congress until 2023, never saw her lead falter in the polls, despite attacks ads that slammed her for accepting donations from a corporate PAC tied to SpaceX, which is owned by Elon Musk. A decade ago Republican Jack Ciattarelli was among the outspoken conservatives who felt Trump was unfit to be president, calling him a "charlatan." When he came within 3 percentage points of winning the governorship in 2021, he kept Trump at arm's length. But that's behind both men now, and the president's late endorsement helped propel the former assemblyman across the finish line less than a half hour after polls closed with slightly more than two-thirds of primary voters supporting Ciattarelli as the GOP hopes to flip the state out of what the president described as a "blue horror show." Although New Jersey has been a solidly blue state at the presidential level for roughly 40 years, it turned more red last year after Trump lost the state by roughly 5%. He previously was defeated by about 16% in 2020. In terms of gubernatorial contests, the GOP has better luck in recent memory with Republican Chris Christie prevailing in the 2010 and 2014 elections. Coupled with how well Ciattarelli did four years ago and the Republican trend overall, New Jersey voters should expect a hotly contested − and expensive − general election this fall. Much of the Democratic gubernatorial primary in New Jersey served as laboratory for what type of candidate the party has an appetite for going forward in next year's midterms and beyond. Each of the six candidates brought extensive and diverse resumes, while they mostly agreed on many issues such as tackling cost of living woes. They all tried to stand out in various ways by emphasizing either their electability in the fall or standing against Trump. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, a charismatic speaker with a long history of civic service and grassroots organizing, caught fire in the last weeks of the race, for instance, after being taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during a scuffle at a federal facility in Newark. Stances on hot button topics, such as the ICE raids, didn't seem to move the needle for the more progressive or antiestablishment candidates, including Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, however. Sherrill was criticized by more left-leaning elements in the party, such as the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, for being too bland. The group claimed she was "nowhere to be seen" during the congressional debates over Trump's legislative agenda. But Sherrill, who was carrying about one-third of the vote as of Tuesday evening, leaned into kitchen table issues around Social Security while also advertising herself as someone willing to "run toward the fight" who would "stand up to Trump and Musk." The finally tally, however, could also underscore a remaining divide among on how the party should move forward given that unlike Ciattarelli, who carried more than two-thirds of the GOP vote, a majority of New Jersey Democrats wanted someone besides Sherrill to carry the party's banner into the fall. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump eyes flipping 'blue horror show': 3 takeaways from N.J. primary
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Republican group lays out plan to gain ground in 2 key Dem-leaning states in 2025 elections
FIRST ON FOX: The first election cycle of President Donald Trump's second term poses an opportunity for the GOP to make electoral inroads in two Democrat-leaning states, a Republican campaign group said in a memo being released Tuesday. The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) announced Tuesday that Republicans will take an offensive posture in the lead-up to the November elections in the Democrat-leaning states of Virginia and New Jersey. The group hopes to take the lessons learned from Democrat gains seen following Trump's first electoral victory in 2016 to create a more winning strategy for the first election cycle of Trump's second term. "While the 2025 races in Virginia and New Jersey will be challenging, we have the opportunity – and strategy – to avoid a 2017 relapse," RSLC President Edith Jorge-Tuñón wrote in a memo released Tuesday outlining the group's strategy for the states. "We have learned from our past experiences and are ready to fight smarter. With the right resources, we can break through Democrat strongholds, make strides in key districts, and disrupt the Left's plan to gain unchecked momentum heading into 2026." These Are The 2025 Elections To Watch As Trump Returns To White House New Jersey and Virginia will be seeing several important statewide elections later this year, including elections for governor and several races for various key House seats that could prove pivotal for the balance of power in these states. Both states will also see local races this year for major school districts, such as Virginia's Loudoun County, as well as some races for municipal government employees, such as Jersey City mayor and Richmond City commonwealth attorney. Read On The Fox News App Gop Lawmakers Demand Loudoun County Schools Investigate Alleged 'Attacks' Against Parents The RSLC strategy says that in both Virginia and New Jersey, Republicans plan to focus on Democrats' legislative shortcomings on issues such as taxes, crime and education through digital ad campaigns, as opposed to focusing on defending the Trump administration's actions. "Riding the momentum of the 2016 presidential win, Republicans in 2017 were caught off guard as Democrats successfully nationalized local races, linking GOP candidates to federal dysfunction," the group's strategy memo stated. "With President Trump returning to the White House, Democrats are licking their chops and not being shy about it. They are confident that his comeback will bolster their efforts to change the power dynamics, positioning 2025 as a pivotal moment for a significant political realignment. It's up to us to prove them wrong." The RSLC said it also intends to continue to push robust absentee ballot and early voting initiatives in Virginia and New Jersey as part of its strategy for 2025 in these states. The RSLC said it plans on reaching out to "low-propensity Republican voters," noting this strategy helped Republicans in Virginia prevent Democrats from increasing their legislative majorities in 2023. Liberal Wins First Major 2025 Statewide Battleground Election In Race Turned Into Trump-musk Referendum A nearly $1 million absentee and mail-in ballot initiative was launched by the RSLC in New Jersey last year, which the group said helped boost GOP engagement in a state that political experts have said is inching its way toward becoming a swing state. This effort, along with other initiatives in New Jersey, like targeted digital advertising, has helped Republicans establish "a strong foundation for competitive performance" in key battleground areas in the state, the RSLC said. The group said it is hoping to build on this in 2025, particularly in New Jersey House Districts 3, 8, 11 and 30. "The RSLC enters the 2025 election cycle with a clear understanding of the challenges ahead. Gaining ground in Virginia and New Jersey will be difficult, but Republicans are far better positioned than we were in 2017," the RSLC strategy memo said in its concluding remarks. "Republican State Leadership Committee and its affiliated PACs are making substantial investments in both states—not just to maintain our positions but to prevent Democrats from gaining the momentum they will need to pose a serious challenge in 2026. Every seat we contest and every message we communicate this year is significant. The effort to avoid a repeat of 2017-2018 has already begun—with a smarter, more prepared Republican Party ready to succeed in 2025 and beyond."Original article source: Republican group lays out plan to gain ground in 2 key Dem-leaning states in 2025 elections
Fox News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Republican group lays out plan to gain ground in 2 key Dem-leaning states in 2025 elections
FIRST ON FOX: The first election cycle of President Donald Trump's second term poses an opportunity for the GOP to make electoral inroads in two Democrat-leaning states, a Republican campaign group said in a memo being released Tuesday. The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) announced Tuesday that Republicans will take an offensive posture in the lead-up to the November elections in the Democrat-leaning states of Virginia and New Jersey. The group hopes to take the lessons learned from Democrat gains seen following Trump's first electoral victory in 2016 to create a more winning strategy for the first election cycle of Trump's second term. "While the 2025 races in Virginia and New Jersey will be challenging, we have the opportunity – and strategy – to avoid a 2017 relapse," RSLC President Edith Jorge-Tuñón wrote in a memo released Tuesday outlining the group's strategy for the states. "We have learned from our past experiences and are ready to fight smarter. With the right resources, we can break through Democrat strongholds, make strides in key districts, and disrupt the Left's plan to gain unchecked momentum heading into 2026." New Jersey and Virginia will be seeing several important statewide elections later this year, including elections for governor and several races for various key House seats that could prove pivotal for the balance of power in these states. Both states will also see local races this year for major school districts, such as Virginia's Loudoun County, as well as some races for municipal government employees, such as Jersey City mayor and Richmond City commonwealth attorney. The RSLC strategy says that in both Virginia and New Jersey, Republicans plan to focus on Democrats' legislative shortcomings on issues such as taxes, crime and education through digital ad campaigns, as opposed to focusing on defending the Trump administration's actions. "Riding the momentum of the 2016 presidential win, Republicans in 2017 were caught off guard as Democrats successfully nationalized local races, linking GOP candidates to federal dysfunction," the group's strategy memo stated. "With President Trump returning to the White House, Democrats are licking their chops and not being shy about it. They are confident that his comeback will bolster their efforts to change the power dynamics, positioning 2025 as a pivotal moment for a significant political realignment. It's up to us to prove them wrong." The RSLC said it also intends to continue to push robust absentee ballot and early voting initiatives in Virginia and New Jersey as part of its strategy for 2025 in these states. The RSLC said it plans on reaching out to "low-propensity Republican voters," noting this strategy helped Republicans in Virginia prevent Democrats from increasing their legislative majorities in 2023. A nearly $1 million absentee and mail-in ballot initiative was launched by the RSLC in New Jersey last year, which the group said helped boost GOP engagement in a state that political experts have said is inching its way toward becoming a swing state. This effort, along with other initiatives in New Jersey, like targeted digital advertising, has helped Republicans establish "a strong foundation for competitive performance" in key battleground areas in the state, the RSLC said. The group said it is hoping to build on this in 2025, particularly in New Jersey House Districts 3, 8, 11 and 30. "The RSLC enters the 2025 election cycle with a clear understanding of the challenges ahead. Gaining ground in Virginia and New Jersey will be difficult, but Republicans are far better positioned than we were in 2017," the RSLC strategy memo said in its concluding remarks. "Republican State Leadership Committee and its affiliated PACs are making substantial investments in both states—not just to maintain our positions but to prevent Democrats from gaining the momentum they will need to pose a serious challenge in 2026. Every seat we contest and every message we communicate this year is significant. The effort to avoid a repeat of 2017-2018 has already begun—with a smarter, more prepared Republican Party ready to succeed in 2025 and beyond."
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State Republicans target Virginia Democrats in new ads
The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) and the Virginia House Republican Campaign Committee launched a new series of ads on Tuesday hitting state House Democrats over their record this legislative session. The new ads, which target incumbent Dels. Michael Feggans (D), Josh Cole (D), Josh Thomas (D), and Nadarius Clark (D), was first seen by The Hill. The 30-second spots are being supported by a six-figure investment. The ads target the state House Democrats over taxes and violent crime, as well as women's and girl's safety. The ad appears to tie the Democrats to an incident involving a registered sex offender in the state allegedly exposing himself to women and girls in a locker room in Fairfax County late last year, featuring a headline reading 'Fairfax County government under scrutiny after male sex offender used female locker rooms.' 'Virginia Democrats like delegate Michael Feggans are copying their friends in Washington, higher taxes, ignoring women's and girls' safety, protecting violent criminals,' the ad's narrator says. 'Virginians didn't ask for this. Virginia Republicans are focused on what works, not partisan theatrics. That's why Republicans fought to cut taxes, create safer communities, and get schools on the right track. Virginia Republicans will put Virginia first every single day.' The ads also tie the incumbent delegates to Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). Democrats currently hold a slim 51 to 49 majority in the state's House of Delegates, giving way for a competitive race for the majority in November. Virginia Democrats have also poured money into the races. Last month, the RSLC's counterparts, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee announced it was investing seven figures in the battle to keep the party's majority in the lower chamber. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
