As the New Jersey gubernatorial race approaches its climax, both major party candidates are boasting of impressive early voting figures.
With less than a week remaining until Election Day, the contest could be heading towards a nail-biting finish.
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Rep. Mikie Sherrill, speaking to Fox News Digital after a meeting at a senior center in Elizabeth, New Jersey, expressed her satisfaction with the early voting results. "Were seeing such great results in the vote by mails and the early voting," she said.
On the other hand, Republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli, in an interview with Fox News Digital, underscored the unprecedented number of Republicans who have returned their mail-in ballots. "We've had more Republicans return vote by mail ballots than ever before," he stated.
The New Jersey race, along with Virginia, is one of only two gubernatorial contests held in the year following a presidential election, thus attracting significant national attention. The outcome may hinge on which party can better mobilize their voters and rally their base.
Over 800,000 votes have already been cast in the race to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, with the majority being mail-in ballots. Early in-person voting, which began on Saturday, has seen nearly a quarter of a million people cast their votes, surpassing the turnout from the last gubernatorial election four years ago.
Sherrill, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate who served as a federal prosecutor before her election to Congress in 2018, hailed the early voting numbers as "really great news." She noted that the trend is much better than the gubernatorial election four years ago when Ciattarelli, in his second bid for governor, nearly upset Murphy.
Ciattarelli, however, remains optimistic about his chances. "We're matching them, voter for voter, here in the early voting. We're in great shape. We're heading toward a victory," he said. While he did not specify the turnout he needs on Election Day to overcome Sherrill's early voting advantage, he expressed confidence in the energy and enthusiasm of his supporters.
Sherrill has been campaigning with high-profile Democrats, including former transportation secretary and presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, and former President Barack Obama. She believes that these appearances are boosting enthusiasm among Democrats.
Ciattarelli, however, dismissed her efforts, claiming that "her campaign has lacked energy from the very start." He has been joined on the campaign trail by top MAGA stars and allies of President Donald Trump, including Vivek Ramaswamy of Ohio and Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida.
The New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial elections are seen as referendums on Trump's controversial second-term agenda. During the final debate, Sherrill accused Ciattarelli of being 100% MAGA and failing to stand up to Trump. In response, Ciattarelli claimed to be part of a "New Jersey movement" and gave Trump an A rating for his performance during his second term.
Sherrill, pointing to New Jersey's high cost of living, gave Trump an F rating and argued that Trump's policies are hurting Ciattarelli's campaign. "Given that the president is raising costs on everyone, it really hurts anyone associated with him and certainly my opponent has really gone in lockstep with the president, giving him an A," she said.
Ciattarelli, a former certified public accountant and founder of a medical publishing company, won Trump's endorsement earlier this year, which helped him secure an easy victory in the GOP gubernatorial nomination race. He has repeatedly criticized Sherrill for focusing on Trump and believes that many people across New Jersey are pleased with the president's performance.
As the race enters its final stretch, it remains to be seen which candidate's strategy will prove successful. The outcome will not only determine New Jersey's next governor but also offer insights into the political climate and the impact of Trump's legacy on future elections.
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