5 Takeaways From NJ Governor Debate: Sherrill vs. Ciattarelli

Mikie Sherrill and Jack Ciattarelli met for the first of two gubernatorial debates on Sunday as the race for New Jersey governor heats up.

The debate included tense exchanges over affordability, property taxes, schools, immigration, political violence and President Donald Trump. Watch video footage online here and here.

Learn more about Ciattarelli’s campaign platform here, and learn more about Sherrill’s campaign platform here.

Here are five takeaways from Sunday’s debate between Sherrill and Ciattarelli:

THE ISSUES

A significant portion of the debate was spent discussing the cost of living in New Jersey and the candidates’ plans to make life more affordable for Garden State residents.

Both candidates said they have plans to get skyrocketing utility bills under control.

Sherrill has said she will declare a state of emergency in New Jersey immediately after being elected, freezing rate hikes for customers while massively building out cheaper and cleaner power generation” – including creating more solar and battery storage projects, and upgrading already existing nuclear and natural gas plants.

Ciattarelli has called for beefing up natural gas and nuclear production to lower costs, arguing against the expansion of wind farms at the Jersey Shore. He has also linked Sherrill to the “clean energy” policies of her fellow Democratic lawmaker, Gov. Phil Murphy.

• See Related: NJ Governor Candidates Offer Plans To Tackle Rising Electricity Costs

Ciattarelli argued for making all retirement income tax-free and letting residents deduct the cost of property taxes on their tax returns. He also suggested making the first two years of income after high school or college tax-free, and said he would not raise the state’s 6.6 percent sales tax – despite claims from Sherill’s campaign that he would. The former New Jersey assemblyman says he will reduce state spending by 30 percent.

Sherrill said she supports the state’s existing ANCHOR and Stay NJ tax relief programs. She also argued for merging some local school districts to drive down taxes. The congresswoman pointed to her plan to “lower costs” in the Garden State, which includes lowering grocery prices by encouraging competition in the industry.

The candidates also took different stances when it comes to housing, with Sherrill supporting expansion of more affordable housing in the state and Ciattarelli arguing that the state’s recently decided quotas should be revisited.

• See Related: New Affordable Housing Mandates Released By NJ
• See Related: Homelessness Is Outpacing Affordable Housing In NJ, Advocates Say

When asked whether they had plans to continue the Immigrant Trust Directive – a New Jersey attorney general order that restricts when state and local law officers can cooperate with federal immigration agents – Sherrill declined to answer directly, although she said she would not allow ICE agents to remain unmasked.

“Violent criminals should be deported, but I also believe in due process,” she said.

Ciattarelli’s reply was more committal.

“Executive Order No. 1 on day one, we’re getting rid of the Immigrant Trust Directive,” he said.

• See Related: NJ Towns Named In Controversial Federal Immigration Crackdown
• See Related: ICE Detention Center In NJ Is First To Open Under Trump's New Term

POLITICAL VIOLENCE

Both candidates decried the rising level of political violence taking place across the nation, but clashed when the recent shooting of Charlie Kirk came up.

Ciattarelli pointed out that Sherrill voted in favor of a U.S. House resolution condemning Kirk’s assassination – but has criticized his political views.

“That’s a neat trick to say you don’t want to divide people and then in your answer bring up something that’s very divisive,” Sherrill replied.

Both candidates said they support a proposed state law that would classify political violence as a hate crime.

• See Related: Political Violence Crackdown: New NJ Law Could Toughen Penalties

DONALD TRUMP

As expected, the topic of President Donald Trump played a prominent role in Sunday’s debate.

Ciattarelli, who got a high-profile endorsement from Trump ahead of the primary election in June, described himself as “independent,” saying that his job is to “advocate for the 9.3 million citizens of this state” – no matter who occupies the White House.

Ciattarelli said he supports the recently passed “big beautiful” budget bill, which made sweeping federal spending cuts while extending Trump’s 2017 tax cuts.

“They’re good for all New Jerseyans,” he said, referring to the provisions in the controversial spending bill.

• See Related: How NJ Reps Voted On Trump's 'Big, Beautiful' Budget Bill

As she has been doing throughout her campaign, Sherrill linked Ciattarelli to the president’s administration and the MAGA movement, claiming that “he’ll do whatever Trump tells him to do.”

Sherrill said Ciattarelli will mirror Trump’s national policies on the state level if he’s elected.

“All he does is say that Trump’s right,” Sherrill charged. “It’s okay to drive up your tariffs. It’s okay to have the one big, beautiful bill, which drives up your health care and utility costs.”

“Not on my watch,” she added.

• See Related: NJ Democrats Rally Behind Mikie Sherrill After Primary Election
• See Related: Trump Endorses Ciattarelli In NJ Governor Race

WHO WON?

Each candidate's team claimed that they won the debate in post-event statements.

“I came prepared with a detailed plan to fix New Jersey, with real answers to our state’s toughest challenges, and the readiness to get to work on Day One fighting for every New Jerseyan,” Ciattarelli said.

“I am more determined than ever to deliver change,” he added, citing issues such as property taxes, public safety, schools and affordability.

“Meanwhile, my opponent spent the night blaming everything on President Trump, dodging questions, and refusing to give voters a straight answer,” Ciattarelli said.

Sherrill’s campaign manager, Alex Ball, had a different opinion about who won the debate.

“Tonight, Mikie outlined her bold vision, beginning on Day One with a State of Emergency on Utility Costs to end the rate hikes and lower costs,” Ball said.

“Jack didn’t say a peep about his record because it’s truly indefensible: voting to raise taxes at every level of government, against Planned Parenthood funding six times, and against Sandy relief three times,” Ball added. “That’s why New Jersey is going to reject him for a third time this November.”

IT’S NOT OVER YET…

Sunday’s event was the first of two mandatory debates for gubernatorial candidates receiving public funding. Another debate between Sherrill and Ciattarelli will take place on Oct. 8. In addition, their lieutenant governor nominees – Dale Caldwell and James Gannon – will debate each other on Sept. 30.

>> How To Watch NJ Governor Debates For 2025 Election

Multiple polls have shown Sherrill with a single-digit lead over Ciattarelli. However, pollsters have said the race is still very competitive – and independent voters may be the deciding factor.

According to state election data, there were 2.52 million registered Democrats, 1.66 million registered Republicans and 2.32 million unaffiliated voters in New Jersey as of Sept. 1.

Third-party and independent candidates running in the 2025 election include Vic Kaplan (Libertarian Party) and Joanne Kuniansky (Socialist Workers Party). Candidates running write-in campaigns include Lily Benavides (Green Party) and Darrell Armstrong (independent).

The general election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Learn more about voting in New Jersey here.

• See Related: Rutgers-Eagleton Poll Names Leader In 2025 NJ Governor Race
• See Related: Quinnipiac Releases NJ Gov Poll Ahead Of First Debate

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