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A map from election media outlet VoteHub shows how New Jersey voted in the state’s gubernatorial race, with Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill securing victory over Republican Jack Ciattarelli. Newsweek reached out to Sherrill and Ciattarelli’s campaigns outside of standard working hours early on Wednesday for comment . Why It Matters The New Jersey governor race, along with the mayoral election in New York and another gubernatorial election in Virgina were being watched as barometers of voter sentiment ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. What To Know According to VoteHub, Sherrill secured 56.2 percent support with 1,792,793 votes. Ciattarelli garnered 43.2 percent support with 1,378,391 votes, the website showed early Wednesday morning. VoteHub’s map shows how New Jersey voted in the gubernatorial election. Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot and four-term member of Congress, defeated Ciattarelli, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, and quickly cast her victory late Tuesday as a referendum on the Republican president and some of his policies—from health care to immigration and the economy. She will be New Jersey’s second female governor, after Republican Christine Todd Whitman, who served between 1994 and 2001. Her victory also gives Democrats three straight gubernatorial election wins in New Jersey, the first time in six decades that either major party has achieved a three-peat. Ciattarelli lost his second straight general election after coming within a few points of defeating incumbent Governor Phil Murphy four years ago. In New York, Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, and Republican Curtis Sliwa to become the city’s first Muslim and first Indian American mayor. And in Virginia, former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger—also a Democrat—prevailed over Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears in the state’s gubernatorial race. What People Are Saying Mikie Sherrill told supporters following her victory, as reported by The Associated Press: “We here in New Jersey are bound to fight for a different future for our children. “We see how clearly important liberty is. We know that no one in our great state is safe when our neighbors are targeted, ignoring the law and the Constitution.” Jack Ciattarelli said, per The Associated Press: “It is my hope that Mikie Sherrill has heard us in terms of what we need to do to make New Jersey that place where everybody can once again feel that they can achieve their American dream.” President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social, Tuesday: “’TRUMP WASN’T ON THE BALLOT, AND SHUTDOWN, WERE THE TWO REASONS THAT REPUBLICANS LOST ELECTIONS TONIGHT,’ according to Pollsters.” Former President Barack Obama wrote on X, Tuesday: “Congratulations to all the Democratic candidates who won tonight. It’s a reminder that when we come together around strong, forward-looking leaders who care about the issues that matter, we can win. We’ve still got plenty of work to do, but the future looks a little bit brighter.” What Happens Next The Trump administration will face another measure of its performance in next year’s midterm elections. This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
