New Poll Shows Latest Shift In NJ Governor’s Race

The New Jersey governor's race for 2025 continues to heat up with accusations and lawsuit threats. Now a new poll shows the race narrowing even more.

According to a Quinnipiac University New Jersey poll, Democrat Mikie Sherrill holds a slight lead with 50 percent of voters backing her over Republican Jack Ciattarelli with 44 percent of voters backing him.

Taking a deeper dive into the poll shows "Democrats 92 - 4 percent back Sherrill, while Republicans 94 - 5 percent back Ciattarelli. Among independents, 48 percent back Ciattarelli and 42 percent back Sherrill," according to Quinnipiac.

Additionally, women voters are showing favor to Sherrill with 57 to 36 percent backing her and 53to 42 percent backing Cittarelli. holds the

"While Jack Ciattarelli holds a fairly solid eleven percentage point lead among male voters, Mikie Sherrill has nearly double that lead with female voters," said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy.

Sherrill has remained steadily in the lead. At the beginning of October, Fox News released its own poll of New Jersey voters that found Sherrill was ahead of Ciattarelli. Another poll released by Quantus Insights also showsed Sherill with a slight lead over Ciattarelli 48.1 percent to 45.8 percent, among likely voters.

• Previous reporting: New Poll Shows Another Dramatic Shift In NJ Governor’s Race

A previous Quinnipiac poll on Sept. 17 also showed Sherill recieving 49 percent of support while Cittarelli recived 41 percent of support.

Sherrill, a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot currently serving as a congress member, is running for governor as a Democrat in New Jersey. She is facing a challenge from Republican Jack Ciattarelli, a former state assemblyman who has gotten an endorsement from President Donald Trump.

Accusations and Lawsuit Threats

In a surprise twist at the final gubernatorial debate last week, Sherrill – a former federal prosecutor – went on the offensive against her Republican opponent, accusing him of misleading people about the dangers of opioid drug abuse when he served as owner of a publishing firm.

• Related: 'Opioid Jack': Sherrill Doubles Down On Accusations Against Ciattarelli In New Website

The allegations first surfaced when Ciattarelli ran against Gov. Phil Murphy in 2021.

"I think you’re trying to divert from the fact that you killed tens of thousands of people by printing your misinformation, your propaganda, and then getting paid to develop an app so that people could more easily get the opioids once they were addicted," Sherrill said.

The accusation got an indignant reply from Ciattarelli, who called the allegations a "lie" in remarks to reporters after the debate. Ciattarelli later said he intends to sue Sherrill for defamation.

Now, Ciattarelli says he intends to sue Sherrill for defamation.

• Related: Ciattarelli Says He Will Sue Sherrill For Defamation After NJ Governor Debate

"In a time where political violence and violent rhetoric are becoming all too prevalent, Mikie Sherrill baselessly and recklessly accusing a political opponent of mass murder in a televised debate crosses the line," a campaign spokesperson for Ciattarelli remarked.

According to fact-checking website, PolitiFact, there is no evidence that Ciattarelli “killed” anyone.

See Related:

• Sherrill, Ciattarelli: Here’s Why I Should Be NJ Governor (In 500 Words)
• 5 Takeaways From First New Jersey Governor Debate