
Syndication: Asbury Park Press
(Trenton, NJ) — Democratic Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill won her party’s primary Tuesday night, so she will face off against Republican Jack Ciattarelli who sailed to an easy victory over four Republicans in the race against him. It sets up what is sure to be a closely watched race, as Republicans attempt to flip the governor’s office from blue to red in November.
Sherrill beat out several other prominent Democrats, including Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and fellow Congressman Josh Gottheimer. Ciattarelli received a huge boost in his primary bid with an endorsement from President Trump.
As the campaigns pour over the numbers they will find some items they don’t like. The majority of New Jersey Democrats voted for someone other than Sherrill Tuesday. She won with just over a third of all Democratic votes in the 6-way primary. Ciattarelli, who easily defeated Bill Spadea and three other Republicans, only received about 40-thousand more votes Tuesday than Sherrill did. The winner of Sherrill vs. Ciattarelli in November will succeed Democrat Phil Murphy, who’s term limited.