New Jersey Governor Signature Bill makes the ban on books illegal
Gov. Phil Murphy has signed the Freedom Reading Act, which prevents the state from banning arbitrary voluntary books.
President Donald Trump has put all his energy into New Jersey’s leading Republican governor candidates, telling voters at a June 2 telephone rally that despite past Trump criticisms from Garden businessmen, he is “the most experienced and combat-tested.”
Trump said he often stays in Bedminster, but Jack Ciattarelli supported his pledge to keep property tax at 1% and fight illegal immigration. Trump encouraged voters to head to the polls on the first day of the vote, June 3rd.
“Jack has what he needs to win. He has my full and full support,” Trump said in a five-minute speech. “New Jersey is ready to jump out of that blue horror show and is being seen all over the world.”
New Jersey is one of two states that will host the High Stakes governor election this November, and could go a long way in determining a party with political momentum heading into the mid-2026 period. Trump’s virtual appearance is on the eve of early voting in the state’s primary, and when the fate of the two-term president-elect himself is highly dependent on the sustained GOP victory at the ballot box.
New Jersey is guaranteed to see a fresh face leading the state from this year onwards. Democrats Gov. Philip Murphy are limited. However, East Coast states usually tilt blue, but the general outcome is far from a solution.
Both parties are busy the field of candidates heading into the primary on June 10th, but Republicans can argue that they have a slightly more clear frontline in Ciattarelli.
This year, spending in Garden State has broken records from previous primary elections. By voting all 11 names in the 2025 polls, the candidate raised about $59 million, and as of May 12, it had fired more than $43 million, according to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.
Trump supported his former critics
Trump first announced the True Society of Things, his support for Ciattarelli, a former member of the New Jersey General Assembly and now a three-time candidate for governor.
“Jack Theatrelli is the first American candidate to run to become the next governor of my beloved nation in New Jersey!” Trump wrote in a May 12 post.
In 2015, Ciattarelli labelled Trump as “Charlatan,” “from the stage with the Lincoln Party,” and “not suitable for the President of the United States.” And in 2021, a former state lawmaker who ran his second campaign for the governor kept Trump at arm length.
But while past statements appear to be old news, Trump is spending his time before major time praised Chaitarelli’s candidacy.
Ciattarelli was a leading Republican candidate before receiving the president’s support. His main opponent, former radio host Bill Supadere, portrays himself as Trump’s loyalty. In a new ad, Spadea said she was “disappointed” by the president’s decision to confirm.
“Jacques Ciatalelli opposed the president. He downplayed him,” Spadair said in a direct camera commercial. “Me? I’ve been a supporter of President Trump since he got off the escalator.
Other names on the GOP vote are State Sen. John Blumnick, former Englewood Cliffs mayor Mario Clanjack, and Burlington County contractor Justin Barbera.
Democrats reveal it
Among the Democrats, Rep. Mikie Cheryl, a representative of the northern New Jersey district, has the advantage.
Former Navy pilot Cheryl is currently serving his fourth term in the US home and has built a reputation as a moderate. She locked up her own major support, including tennis icon Billy Jean King and Emily’s list of Democratic Political Action Committee.
She faces five other candidates in the distantly decided primary contest.
Another Democrat on the council, Rep. Josh Gottimer, along with Jersey Mayor Steve Flop, Newark Mayor Russ Barraka and Sean Spiller of the New Jersey Education Association, is just behind Cheryl in the vote.
Finishing the field is former state senator, President Steve Sweeney.
Trump is focused on beating Democrats, not GOP rivals
Trump is focused on contrasting Ciattarelli and Ciattarelli with Democrats, and is not a primary rival Republican, saying he will fight to lower taxes and crack down on violent criminals.
Trump said former Somerset County Commissioner and state legislator Ciattarelli will stand up to “crippling regulations, ramping corruption” and “radical teacher unions.”
“I can’t do more,” Trump said. “So let’s go out there and win.”
Ciattarelli thanked Trump for his approval, saying his first executive order was to eliminate so-called “sanctuary cities” that limit cooperation with federal immigration law enforcement.
“We work together to keep our country safe, and of course New Jersey is safe,” Ciattarelli said. “I am honored. I will not disappoint you.”
Which party game?
A poll by Emerson College and Hill found that Ciattarelli leads the Republican Pack with 44% of voters. Cheryl was ahead of Democrats at 28%, with Flop, Baraka and Gottimer next at 11%.
Regardless of who comes out on June 10, the general competition for the governor is expected to be a competitive battle and pioneer the country.
New Jersey has a history of flipping parties when selecting state civil servants.
Former Republican Governor Chris Christie served two terms between 2010 and 2018. He was taken over by current New Jersey Governor Philmurphy (D-Democrat).
When he was reelection in 2021, Murphy, now term-limited, faced Ciattarelli, earning a three-point victory.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris won New Jersey in the 2024 presidential election. But her six-point victory margin was also a drop from Joe Biden’s 16-point victory in Garden State against then-President Trump in 2020.
