A high-stakes governors race in New Jersey, one of two gubernatorial contests on Tuesday, has tightened in the runup to Election Day. Democrats’ pick, former Navy helicopter pilot Rep. Mikie Sherrill, still maintains her lead over Republican Jack Ciattarelli in his third try for the governor’s mansion.
Democrats are boasting significant financial commitments into both New Jersey and Virginia’s governors races and are traveling up and down the East Coast to shore up support, showcased by former President Barack Obama’s two rallies Saturday for Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger, Virginia’s Democratic governor candidate.
“Mikie’s integrity, grit, and commitment to service are what we need right now in our leaders. Mikie Sherrill is the right choice for your next governor,” Obama said in an ad endorsing her.
And just last week, the Democratic National Committee injected $500,000 into a combination of elections in New Jersey, Virginia, and Pennsylvania on top of its prior $3 million commitment to the Garden State earlier this year.
But Ciattarelli is lagging Sherrill only by single digits — Sherrill led Ciattarelli by 8 points in the full ballot matchup, according a Quinnipiac poll. And Republicans are moving resources try to help him close that gap.
The Republican National Committee is now providing personnel, including five full-time staffers, 50 county captains over 15,000 volunteers, who include attorneys and poll workers, per the committee. The RNC says it has created a voter mobilization tool called VotePro that helps direct potential voters to resources needed ahead of Tuesday, like polling place location, voter registration and early vote information.
The RNC now claims the race is “up for grabs” — and that Democrats’ tremendous influx of cash into New Jersey will yield little return on investment.
“Democrats have spent a fortune with nothing to show for it, proving this governor’s race is up for grabs. Republicans are unified in our sprint to the finish line, and we are delivering more boots on the ground, ramping up voter contact, and keeping our elections secure,” RNC Regional Communications Director Delanie Bomar said in a statement.
Ciattarelli also boasts the support of President Donald Trump.
The election has not been without controversy. In September, The National Archives blamed a technician’s mistake for the release of Sherrill’s unredacted military records — including her Social Security number — sparking outrage and an investigation. Sherrill’s campaign called it part of Trump’s effort to “weaponize” government agencies against his political opponents.
Sherrill admitted around the time the records were released that she was not permitted to walk at Naval Academy graduation because she did not report on her classmates during a 1994 cheating scandal, although she was not accused of cheating. Ciattarelli said her admission raises concerns and has called for her to release more documents.
Then, during their final debate, Sherrill accused Ciattarelli’s old medical publishing company of downplaying the dangers of opioids — something he called a “desperate campaign on behalf of a desperate candidate” and threatened to sue over.
Despite it all, Democrats feel optimistic about their chances, an opportunity to prove to voters they have what it takes to win ahead of next year’s contentious midterm elections.
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