The Democratic National Committee will spend $1.5 million in New Jersey’s gubernatorial election on behalf of Rep. Mikie Sherrill’s campaign.
The investment marks one of the largest in a largely Democratic state. The money will go to the New Jersey Coordinated Campaign, which will help hire regional directors and organizers, fund voter outreach efforts, and expand outreach to demographics that moved more toward the GOP in the 2024 election.
The investment comes from a fundraiser for Sherrill hosted by Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ), which former President Barack Obama attended.
Sherrill will face former Republican state lawmaker and businessman Jack Ciattarelli.
In a statement, DNC Chairman Ken Martin said the funding would help the Democrats’ message against Republicans and Ciattarelli.
“Six months into his second term, Donald Trump has given New Jersey families higher costs, fewer job opportunities, and has gone after their health care and food assistance — but this November, we’re going to give Republicans a lesson in consequences,” Martin said.
“Republicans, like Jack Ciattarelli, are all too happy to betray the families they represent to further the agenda of Trump and his billionaire friends. New Jerseyans deserve Democratic leaders who will fight back against Trump’s chaos and cruelty while delivering better days for their families,” the statement continued.
NEW JERSEY REPUBLICANS CONFIDENT ABOUT GUBERNATORIAL WIN AS ODDS SHIFT
According to the latest polling, Sherill currently leads Ciattarelli by 8 points. Republicans are still hopeful about the race after Ciattarelli came within three points of making Murphy a one-term governor in 2021.
The DNC has not announced a large-scale investment like this yet in Virginia, the only other state with a governor’s race this year. In Virginia, former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger is polling well ahead of Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle Sears.