NJ Governor Primary Election: See Results For Democrat, Republican Races

This article was updated at 11:15 p.m. on June 10

NEW JERSEY — The race to replace Gov. Phil Murphy in New Jersey has reached its first major fork in the road: the 2025 primary election.

Voters went to the polls on Tuesday to choose Democratic and Republican nominees for governor. Polls closed at 8 p.m. >> Check back here for the latest results, or sign up for free e-newsletter updates

The winners of the primary will advance to the general election on Nov. 4, which will also include third-party and independent candidates.

The Associated Press has called the Republican primary in favor of Jack Ciattarelli, and the Democratic race for Mikie Sherrill.

Here are the uncertified results (as per the AP):

DEMOCRATS (vote for one, 69% of votes counted)

• Ras Baraka – 106,299 votes (18.4%)
• Steve Fulop – 96,928 votes (16.7%)
• Josh Gottheimer – 68,816 votes (11.9%)
• Mikie Sherrill – 202,280 votes (34.9%)
• Sean Spiller – 60,568 votes (10.5%)
• Steve Sweeney – 44,386 votes (7.7%)

REPUBLICANS (vote for one, 57% of votes counted)

• Justin Barbera – 3,995 votes (1.4%)
• Jon Bramnick – 18,285 votes (6.6%)
• Jack Ciattarelli – 186,193 votes (66.9%)
• Mario Kranjac – 7,813 votes (2.8%)
• Bill Spadea – 62,223 votes (22.4%)

Gov. Murphy issued a statement on Tuesday night, congratulating Sherrill and Ciattarelli on their presumptive wins, which will still need to be certified.

"I want to offer my congratulations to both Mikie and Jack for earning the trust and support of primary voters all across our state," Murphy said. "I would also like to thank every candidate – on both sides of the aisle – who stepped up to run in this year’s election and participate in our sacred democratic process."

"Over the next few months, as the general election ramps up, I know we will see a spirited campaign for governor and all 80 Assembly seats," Murphy added. "And I look forward to working with the winner of this November’s election to ensure the smoothest possible transition for the next governor."

Ciattarelli and Sherrill each released statements as the smoke from Election Night died down.

"Thank you, New Jersey," Ciattarelli wrote in a social media post. "Because of you, we won all 21 counties with a clear and convincing victory. This campaign has always been about people, not politics — about vision, not division."

"Tonight, we celebrate," he added. "Tomorrow, we get back to work the only way I know how, with everything I have. All gas, no brakes. Let’s unite, let’s fight, and let’s fix our great state."

Sherrill said that the state's primary election shows that the nation is ready to "chart a different path forward."

"It’s time to bring a new generation of leadership to Trenton," Sherrill said, touting her experience in Congress, as a Navy helicopter pilot, as a federal prosecutor, and as a "mom raising four kids here in New Jersey."

"This is our time," Sherrill said. "This is our future. This is our New Jersey that we will save together."

COMPETITIVE RACE FOR NJ DEMOCRATS

New Jersey has seen a competitive race among Democrats to replace Murphy, a fellow Democrat who is term-limited and can’t run again this year.

A Rutgers-Eagleton poll released in April found that there was “no clear frontrunner” and that most of the Democratic candidates were within striking distance of one another. See Related: Poll Shows Republican Frontrunner, Close Democrat Race For NJ Governor

Five of the six Democratic candidates qualified for public funding with the state: Ras Baraka, Steven Fulop, Josh Gottheimer, Mikie Sherrill and Steve Sweeney. The sixth candidate, Sean Spiller, has been endorsed by a super PAC with a sizable campaign chest. Read More: NJ Has Given $37.5M In Matching Funds To Governor Hopefuls

Some political pundits predicted that the state’s unaffiliated voters would have a big impact on the Democratic race this year. Read More: Indy Voters In NJ Could Be ‘Game Changer’ For Democrats, Pollsters Say

In the months leading up to the primary election, Democratic candidates met for a series of debates and forums across the state.

• See Related: Meet The 6 Democratic Candidates For NJ Governor (VIDEOS)
• See Related: NJ Governor Candidates Speak On ‘Equity, Segregation’

GOP AND TRUMP IN NEW JERSEY

Four of the Republican candidates faced-off on the debate stage for the first time in February, throwing punches over their ties to President Donald Trump and other issues, including taxes, immigration and abortion. Read More: 5 Takeaways From First GOP Debate For NJ Governor

Trump dropped a bombshell for New Jersey Republicans in May when he announced his “complete and total endorsement” of Jack Ciattarelli.

“Jack is the Republican candidate who is best positioned to stand tall against the radical left Democrats and, most importantly, ensure a big victory in this very important gubernatorial election,” the president wrote.

The former state assemblyman ran against Murphy in 2021 as the Republican nominee, losing the race by a margin of less than 85,000 votes.

Ciattarelli’s rivals in the primary election had a split reaction to the news.

Former radio host Bill Spadea immediately planted his feet in the sand, declaring that he wasn’t going anywhere. Spadea has attempted to label Ciattarelli as a “fake Republican” on social media, recently launching a new campaign ad that blasts his opponent’s stances on taxes and calling himself a “Trump Conservative.”

Mario Kranjac, a former mayor in Englewood Cliffs, said he plans to continue his campaign and bring his “Make New Jersey Great Again” message to the voters – hopefully earning a second Trump endorsement in the process.

Meanwhile, New Jersey Sen. Jon Bramnick – an attorney and comedian – put his sense of humor on display when commenting on the president’s support for Ciattarelli.

“I have seen the Trump endorsement and, after careful consideration, I will still be voting for me,” he quipped.

• See Related: Trump Endorses Republican Candidate For NJ Governor
• See Related: Republican Rivals React To Trump Endorsement In NJ Governor Race
• See Related: Republicans Gain On Democrats As NJ Primary Creeps Closer

VOTING IN NEW JERSEY

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin recently issued a reminder about several methods that the Department of Law and Safety uses to protect voting rights. Read More: New Safeguards In Place For Early NJ Voters

Federal authorities have also released statements about election security in the Garden State, including a recent declaration about plans to purge ineligible voters from the state’s registration lists. Read More: Ineligible Voter Purge Planned In NJ, Trump-Appointed Official Says

VOTER REGISTRATION STATS

There were 2,451,752 registered Democrats, 1,624,437 Republicans and 75,054 voters registered with a third-party in New Jersey as of June 1 (see chart below).

Registered members of the Green Party, Libertarian Party, Natural Law Party, Reform Party, U.S. Constitution Party, Conservative Party or the Socialist Party of New Jersey can participate in the convention of that party, according to its bylaws, but cannot vote in the Democratic or Republican primaries.

There were also 2,423,449 voters in New Jersey unaffiliated with any party, according to data from the state division of elections.

Learn more about voting in New Jersey here.

• See Related: Green Candidate For Gov Campaigns On 'Clean Energy, Climate Change'
• See Related: Is New Jersey Ready For A Socialist Governor? This Candidate Thinks So
• See Related: 3 Candidates Seek NJ Libertarian Nod As Governor Race Heats Up

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