LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – The race to become New Jersey’s next governor takes center stage tonight as Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Democrat Mikie Sherrill square off in their first head-to-head debate at Rider University.
The 90-minute event, beginning at 7 p.m., will be streamed live by the New Jersey Globe and On New Jersey, co-hosts of the debate, along with Rider. Viewers can also watch through C-SPAN, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and social media platforms including YouTube, Facebook, X, and Instagram. An audio version will be released to Apple, Spotify, and iHeart Radio podcast feeds, according to the state’s Election Law Enforcement Commission.
Ciattarelli, 63, is a former state assemblyman and Hillsborough resident who came within three points of defeating Gov. Phil Murphy in 2021. A certified public accountant, he has built his campaign around tax relief, public safety, and fiscal discipline. His message has resonated with independent voters, a crucial bloc in New Jersey’s political landscape.
Sherrill, 53, represents the state’s 11th Congressional District and has served in the U.S. House since 2019. A Montclair resident, she is a former Navy helicopter pilot and federal prosecutor. Her platform centers on affordability, clean energy expansion, and government transparency. She has pledged to freeze utility rate hikes, publish “plain-language budgets,” and create a New Jersey Report Card to measure state program performance.
The November 4 election is one of only two gubernatorial contests in the nation this fall, heightening national interest in tonight’s debate.
Both candidates enter the stage with statewide recognition and sharply defined platforms, setting the stage for a closely watched showdown that could shape the direction of New Jersey for years to come.
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Key Points
- Jack Ciattarelli and Mikie Sherrill will debate at Rider University tonight at 7 p.m.
- The November 4 race is one of only two gubernatorial elections in the U.S. this year.
- Ciattarelli is running on fiscal conservatism while Sherrill is highlighting affordability and transparency.
All eyes will be on Lawrenceville as New Jersey voters get their first direct look at the two contenders for governor.