With less than a month before Election Day, the candidates for governor of New Jersey faced off on Wednesday in a final debate that showcased stark differences in how they plan to lead the state.
The hourlong debate also featured flash points over the Trump administration’s release of one candidate’s military records and its decision to withhold $16 billion for construction of a new commuter rail tunnel under the Hudson River that is vital to New Jersey’s economy.
Only New Jersey and Virginia hold races for governor this year, and both are considered early tests of voter attitudes toward President Trump a year before congressional races that will determine the balance of power in Washington. More than 200,000 New Jersey voters have already cast ballots by mail. And television ads are omnipresent.
Democrats have branded Jack Ciattarelli, a Trump-endorsed Republican running for governor for the third time, the “Trump of Trenton” in ads.
Mr. Ciattarelli has countered by depicting his opponent, Representative Mikie Sherrill, as an extension of the state’s Democratic governor, Philip D. Murphy, in ads that describe her as “Murphy 2.0.”
Turnout will be critical. Four years ago, Republicans angered by pandemic-related mask and vaccine policies flocked to the polls, and Mr. Ciattarelli came within 3 points of beating Mr. Murphy in his second time running for governor. Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans in New Jersey by roughly 850,000 voters. Still, Mr. Trump’s stronger-than-expected showing in November in New Jersey has led Mr. Ciattarelli to make direct appeals to Black and Latino voters in traditional Democratic strongholds.
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The post Key Moments From the Final New Jersey Governor’s Debate appeared first on New York Times.
