Mikie Sherrill Wins New Jersey Governor's Race in Historic Landslide

Mikie Sherrill made history Tuesday night, defeating Republican Jack Ciattarelli by a decisive margin to become New Jersey’s first female Democratic governor and the first female military veteran to lead any American state.

The former Navy helicopter pilot and federal prosecutor captured approximately 56 percent of the vote to Ciattarelli’s 43 percent, a margin that exceeded most pre-election polling. The victory represents a resounding affirmation of Democratic governance in New Jersey after eight years under Governor Phil Murphy.

“Blue is back!” Sherrill declared to cheering supporters at her election night headquarters in Morris County, the same suburban region that launched her political career when she flipped the traditionally Republican 11th Congressional District in 2018. “Tonight, New Jersey sent a message that we will not go backward.”

The result marks the first time since 1961 that either party has held the New Jersey governorship for three consecutive terms. That streak ended when voters chose continuity over change, rejecting Ciattarelli’s argument that the state needed new leadership after nearly a decade of Democratic control.

Sherrill’s victory coalition mirrored the diverse electorate that has made New Jersey reliably blue in recent cycles. According to exit polls, she won 94 percent of Black voters, 68 percent of Hispanic voters, and 82 percent of Asian voters. She also performed strongly in the suburbs, particularly in Bergen, Essex, and her home base of Morris County.

For Ciattarelli, the loss represents the end of a two-cycle effort to capture the governorship. The former Somerset County assemblyman came within three percentage points of defeating Murphy in 2021, a race that many Republicans believed foreshadowed a competitive 2025. Instead, the margin moved decisively in the other direction.

In his concession speech, Ciattarelli congratulated Sherrill and called for unity. “The voters have spoken, and we respect their decision,” he said. “I wish Governor-elect Sherrill well as she takes on the challenges facing our state.”

The campaign attracted nearly $200 million in spending, making it one of the most expensive gubernatorial races in American history. The national spotlight reflected both parties’ belief that New Jersey could serve as a bellwether for the political mood in the early months of President Donald Trump’s second term.

Sherrill’s win, coupled with Abigail Spanberger’s victory in Virginia’s governor’s race, gave Democrats two significant victories on an election night that both parties had been watching closely. For Democrats still reeling from their 2024 presidential loss, the results offered a measure of hope heading into the 2026 midterms.

The governor-elect will face immediate challenges upon taking office on January 20, 2026. New Jersey’s property tax burden remains the highest in the nation, transportation infrastructure needs significant investment, and the state’s pension system continues to pose long-term fiscal challenges.

Sherrill has promised to address affordability concerns while protecting the progressive policies enacted under Murphy, including robust reproductive rights protections, clean energy investments, and expanded social programs. Her background as a moderate Democrat who has worked across the aisle in Congress could prove valuable in navigating a Legislature where Democrats hold majorities but internal divisions sometimes complicate policy-making.

Her victory also creates a vacancy in the 11th Congressional District, which she will resign from before taking the oath of office. Governor Murphy has already announced that special elections will be held to fill the seat, with a primary scheduled for February and a general election in April.

As the celebration continued into the early morning hours, supporters and political observers alike reflected on the historic nature of Sherrill’s victory. New Jersey has elected female governors before, but never a Democrat. No female military veteran has ever led a state.

“This is what progress looks like,” said one supporter at the victory party. “New Jersey just made history.”

Sherrill will be sworn in as the 57th Governor of New Jersey on January 20, 2026.