NEW JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — The field appears to be set for New Jersey’s governor’s race next year, barring any late surprises. There are six Democrats and four Republicans running to replace Gov. Phil Murphy.
Two mayors, Ras Baraka and Steve Fulop; two members of Congress, Mikie Sherril and Josh Gottheimer; Teachers Union President Sean Spiller; and former Senate President Steve Sweeney round out the Democratic side.
For Republicans, there’s state Senator and part-time comedian Jon Bramnick, who has been critical of Donald Trump, and three candidates who support Trump: truck driver and former Senator Ed Durr, radio personality Bill Spadea, and Jack Ciattarelli who lost a fairly close race four years ago.
Micah Rasmussen from Rider University says there’s a lot for people to take in, as we don’t often see primaries this deep.
“Every region of the state is well represented. And voters don’t typically have this many good choices in New Jersey.”
Rasmussen says candidates are already trying to differentiate themselves and sell their ideas.
“I will be very curious to see how the early focus of this field on affordability translates into actual policy. Property taxes are always the biggest question of affordability in this state,” Rasmussen said.
This will be the first Governor’s primary without the old county line ballot format. Rasmussen says this more open style is probably why we are seeing so many new candidates thinking they have a shot.