A recent poll for the New Jersey gubernatorial race puts Democratic candidate Representative Mikie Sherrill 10 points ahead of Republican choice Jack Ciattarelli.

Newsweek reached out to Ciattarelli and Sherrill outside of regular working hours via email for comment.

Why It Matters

The upcoming off-year gubernatorial election in New Jersey, which typically leans Democrat, will be an important indicator in terms of where the country is politically ahead of the 2026 midterm election.

Democrats are hoping that the negative approval ratings of President Donald Trump could fuel a blue wave, as seen back in 2018. Meanwhile, Republicans are aiming to build off of Trump’s inroads with New Jersey voters, which shifted some 10 points to the right from 2020 to 2024.

What To Know

The new poll came from Quantus Insights and was a survey of 600 registered-likely voters. It took a mixed-mode approach, with the use of opt-in online panels and outreach through SMS. The methodology section of the survey stated that it has a margin of error of 4.3 percent, and 95 percent confidence. The poll was fielded from September 2 to 4 and published on September 5.

The Quantus Insights poll had Sherill ahead, with 47 percent, and Ciattarelli behind on 37 percent.

Sherrill, 53 is a U.S. representative and former Navy helicopter pilot, and Ciattarelli, 63, is an ex-state assemblyman, both have focused on the core issue of rising prices in their campaigns.

A previous poll from Tipp/League of American Workers conducted from August 25 to August 28 put Sherrill 7 points ahead.

Another poll released in August, from Rutgers-Eagleton, put Sherrill up by 9 points, (44 percent to 35 percent). This margin was smaller than the pollster had found in June, when she was up by 20 (51 percent to 31 percent).

What People Are Saying

Jack Ciatteralli, in a post on X on September 7 following a stop on his campaign: “As Jack & Jim criss-crossed the state today, teams of volunteers were out knocking on doors all over NJ taking our common sense plan to fix this state directly to voters. Lower taxes. Cutting electric bills. No sanctuary state. Ending overdevelopment and much more! It’s time.”

Mikie Sherrill in a post on X on September 6: “My husband and I are raising four teenagers in New Jersey. We both have a deep love for this state. As the cost of living soars and opportunities move elsewhere, I feel it’s my responsibility to make sure New Jersey works for the next generation. I know that we can—and will—do better for our kids.”

What’s Next

There are now fewer than 60 days left in the race, and candidates are set to spend the next two months making a case to voters on why they should lead New Jersey.

The gubernatorial election will take place in New Jersey on November 4. That same day, an election for governor will also be held in Virginia. The New York City mayoral election will also take place on November 4.