New Jersey Elects Democrat Who Refused to Condemn Convicted Cop Killer Assata Shakur [WATCH]

Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat representing New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District, has been elected governor of New Jersey, defeating Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli in Tuesday’s closely watched race.

The contest marked the first open governor’s race in the state since 2017 and drew significant national attention as Republicans sought to build on Ciattarelli’s strong performance in his 2021 campaign, when he came within three percentage points of unseating Democratic incumbent Phil Murphy.

Sherrill’s victory solidifies continued Democratic control in one of the country’s most reliably blue states, though the race was viewed as more competitive than expected throughout the campaign.

Decision Desk HQ projects Mikie Sherrill to win the New Jersey Governor election.#DecisionMade: 8:13 pm ET

Follow live results on our website. pic.twitter.com/67CvF5ZM35

— Decision Desk HQ (@DecisionDeskHQ) November 5, 2025

Ciattarelli, a former state assemblyman and business owner, gained momentum in the final weeks, drawing support from independent voters, several local Democratic officials, and some labor groups that traditionally back Democrats.

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Polling throughout October indicated a tightening contest.

Sherrill’s campaign faced internal concern after data showed declining enthusiasm among Black voters compared with past statewide Democratic candidates.

Party strategists privately acknowledged the challenge, noting that maintaining urban voter turnout was critical to offset Ciattarelli’s gains in the suburbs.

“It’s a referendum on Trump!” Democrats will say about New Jersey.

We already had a chance for voters to oppose Trump in New Jersey. Here’s how it turned out.

Democrats are scared Republicans will thrust NJ into swing state status and spent ENDLESS resources and used OBAMA in… pic.twitter.com/LFTUzy8sC2

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 5, 2025

Sherrill’s campaign was also met with criticism over financial disclosures indicating a sharp increase in her personal net worth during her time in Congress.

Reports noted that the congresswoman’s assets had grown by several million dollars since taking office, though no explanation was offered by her campaign.

New Jersey just elected a woman to the governorship who’s not even from the state and who made $7 million stock trading in Congress.pic.twitter.com/ePVVq1HfMi

— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) November 5, 2025

Another controversy arose after Sherrill declined to comment on the death of Assata Shakur, also known as Joanne Chesimard, a convicted murderer and member of the Black Liberation Army who fled to Cuba after being convicted in the 1973 killing of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster.

Sherrill’s silence drew criticism from law enforcement groups and political opponents, while Governor Phil Murphy publicly condemned left-wing organizations that issued statements mourning Shakur’s death.

Despite those setbacks, Sherrill maintained consistent backing from the Democratic establishment and focused her campaign messaging on opposition to President Donald Trump.

Throughout debates and rallies, she framed the race as a choice between “protecting democracy” and “returning to Trump-era politics.”

That strategy resonated with Democratic voters, particularly in northern New Jersey counties where turnout exceeded early projections.

Ciattarelli’s campaign emphasized state-level issues, including the cost of living, taxes, and education.

He argued that New Jersey’s economic outlook required new leadership and criticized Sherrill’s focus on national politics.

His campaign also highlighted bipartisan endorsements, including from several municipal Democrats and local union officials who cited his record as a pragmatic legislator.

Final vote totals showed Sherrill maintaining a comfortable lead across Essex, Hudson, and Mercer counties, while Ciattarelli performed strongly in Monmouth, Ocean, and Sussex counties.

With more than 95 percent of precincts reporting, Sherrill secured approximately 53 percent of the vote to Ciattarelli’s 46 percent.

In her victory speech, Sherrill thanked supporters and pledged to “deliver for every community in this state.”

Ciattarelli, addressing his supporters in Somerset County, congratulated Sherrill on her win and thanked his campaign team for what he described as “a movement that will continue to fight for affordability and common sense in New Jersey.”

The outcome marks another statewide victory for Democrats in New Jersey, extending their control over the governor’s office and legislature as the state prepares to address ongoing challenges related to taxes, infrastructure, and economic recovery.