New Jersey State Primary 2022: A Crucial Race for Governor
New Jersey is gearing up for its state primary on Tuesday, where nearly a dozen candidates are vying for the Democratic nomination to succeed Gov. Phil Murphy. The race is crucial as New Jersey is one of the two states with a gubernatorial election this year. The state has a history of changing hands between political parties, making this election significant. The Democratic primary features prominent candidates like U.S. Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Mikie Sherrill, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, NJEA president Sean Spiller, and former Senate President Steve Sweeney. Immigration has been a key issue in the campaign, with notable fundraising efforts from the candidates.
On the Republican side, former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli is making his third bid for the governorship. He faces competition from state Sen. Jon Bramnick, former Mayor Mario Kranjac, radio host Bill Spadea, and contractor Justin Barbera. Former President Donald Trump's endorsement of Ciattarelli has been a significant factor in the GOP primary. The state's most populous counties, such as Bergen, Middlesex, Essex, and Hudson, play a crucial role in Democratic primaries. In the last competitive Republican primary, Ciattarelli emerged as the top vote-getter in all 21 counties.
In addition to the gubernatorial race, all 80 state General Assembly seats are up for election this year, with 25 districts facing contested races. State Senate seats will not be up for election until 2027. The Associated Press will provide vote results and declare winners in the primaries for governor, state General Assembly, and uncontested special primaries in state Senate District 35. Registered party members can only vote in their party's primary, while independent or unaffiliated voters can participate in either primary. Turnout in the 2021 primaries was around 6% for Democrats and 5% for Republicans, with a significant portion of votes cast before Election Day.
As New Jersey prepares for its state primary, the outcome will shape the political landscape for the upcoming general election. With a diverse field of candidates and key issues at play, the primary will set the stage for the race to succeed Gov. Phil Murphy. Stay tuned for the latest updates and results as the primary unfolds.