TRENTON, NJ – It’s election season. Democrats running for governor in New Jersey are trying to put distance between themselves and out-of-control energy prices, sanctuary state crime, offshore wind fiascos, and criminal justice reform.
Don’t buy into the expensive donor-class paid-for advertisements. All of these people are the reason why New Jersey is the highest taxed state in the country facing an imminent energy crisis like we’ve never seen before.
Instead placing blame where it belongs, in the Democrat controlled swamp that is Trenton, they’re going to tell you all of your problems are due to Elon Musk and President Donald J. Trump.
As the 2025 gubernatorial race takes shape in New Jersey, a troubling reality has emerged: every Democratic candidate has hitched their wagon to Governor Phil Murphy’s faltering star. From social justice experiments to soaring energy costs, Murphy’s tenure has left a trail of failed policies and unfulfilled promises. Yet, the six Democrats vying to succeed him—Ras Baraka, Steven Fulop, Josh Gottheimer, Mikie Sherrill, Sean Spiller, and Stephen Sweeney—have each, in their own way, endorsed his troubling agenda. Voters beware: this isn’t a fresh start; it’s a sequel to a flop.
Start with Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.
A progressive stalwart, Baraka has praised Murphy’s leadership, particularly on education and equity. In 2021, he lauded Murphy’s pandemic response, calling it a model for urban governance, and has aligned himself with the governor’s push for increased school funding—despite the system’s persistent inefficiencies.
Baraka’s vision of “reimagining” New Jersey echoes Murphy’s lofty rhetoric, but it sidesteps the hard truth: the state’s education formula remains a mess, and taxpayers are still footing the bill for underwhelming results.
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, an early Murphy ally, endorsed him in 2017 after bowing out of that year’s race. Fulop has since cheered Murphy’s progressive wins, like the minimum wage hike and paid sick leave—policies Fulop mirrored in his own city.
He’s positioned himself as a reformer, but his support for Murphy’s sanctuary state stance and offshore wind obsession ties him to the same high-cost, low-return gambles that have burdened New Jerseyans with some of the nation’s steepest utility bills.
U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer, a moderate by Democratic standards, has nonetheless been a reliable Murphy booster. He backed the governor’s 2021 reelection bid and has praised his infrastructure investments, like the Gateway Project, while rarely criticizing the administration’s excesses.
Gottheimer’s campaign touts affordability, but his silence on Murphy’s tax-and-spend habits—like the millionaire’s tax and bloated budgets—suggests he’s more comfortable with the status quo than he lets on.
Mikie Sherrill, another congressional contender, joined the race with a nod to Murphy’s progressive credentials. A former Navy pilot, Sherrill endorsed Murphy in 2021 and has echoed his calls for protecting reproductive rights and green energy initiatives.
Her campaign video promises a “gold standard” for rights, a clear nod to Murphy’s playbook, yet she’s mum on how his wind energy fixation has driven up costs without delivering promised benefits. It’s a polished pitch that glosses over the cracks.
Sean Spiller, head of the New Jersey Education Association, is perhaps Murphy’s most ardent cheerleader. His union endorsed Murphy in both 2017 and 2021, and Spiller has hailed the governor’s pension payments and school funding boosts as victories for educators.
But this loyalty comes at a cost: Spiller’s refusal to challenge Murphy’s unfunded mandates and convoluted funding formulas signals more of the same for a state already buckling under property tax hikes.
Finally, former Senate President Stephen Sweeney rounds out the field. Though he clashed with Murphy over budget priorities, Sweeney endorsed him in 2017 after dropping his own gubernatorial bid and worked closely with him to pass key legislation, like the millionaire’s tax.
Sweeney’s a pragmatist, but his track record shows he’s not above playing ball with Murphy’s agenda when it suits him—hardly a break from the past.
These candidates aren’t offering a reboot; they’re pledging allegiance to a governor whose policies have left New Jersey less safe, less affordable, and less competitive.
Murphy’s criminal justice reforms have fueled crime spikes in cities like Newark, his sanctuary state directive has strained local resources, and his green energy dreams have saddled residents with sky-high bills. Men competing in women’s sports? Murphy championed it. School funding that punishes suburbs while failing urban kids? He doubled down.
The Democrats running in 2025 aren’t distancing themselves from this—they’re embracing it.
New Jersey deserves better than a rerun of Murphy’s missteps. Voters should demand candidates who confront these failures head-on, not parrot the party line.
The 2025 election is a chance to turn the page, but only if we see through the loyalty masquerading as leadership. Don’t fall for the lies—demand a real change.
Editorial – SNN
