Democrat Mikie Sherrill defeats Trump-backed Jack Ciattarelli in New Jersey governor’s race

(AP) - Mikie Sherrill defeated Republican Jack Ciattarelli, who was endorsed by Trump. The race was closely watched as a potential bellwether for the 2026 midterms

She will succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, marking the first time since 1961 that one party has won three consecutive terms in the New Jersey governor’s mansion.

Sherrill, a Navy veteran who represented a northern New Jersey district in the U.S. House for four terms, will be the state’s second female governor.

Sherrill’s win is a boon for Democrats. They wanted to keep the New Jersey governor’s mansion in their column and send a signal that voters rejected President Donald Trump’s choice for the office.

The race for the governor’s mansion was one of two across the states this year. Voters in Virginia also chose a Democrat, electing former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, the first woman in that role.

While Trump notably did not directly endorse the Republican candidate in the Virginia race, the president formally backed Ciattarelli and held tele-rallies for him. But it was not enough to get him over the finish line.

The governor races take on an outsized role in a year when Trump has battled with governors and mayors as he’s deployed National Guard troops and immigration agents across predominantly Democratic-led cities and states.

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