New Jersey’s governorship is on the line this Nov. 4, and with early polls showing Democrat Mikie Sherrill holding a narrow lead over Republican Jack Ciattarelli, both parties are working hard to win over a critical voting bloc: Black New Jerseyans.
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The state’s Black population—12.4% statewide, and more than 30% in communities like Atlantic City, Newark, and Camden—has long faced persistent inequities in housing, policing, education, and economic opportunity. With rising rents, gun violence, and the cost of living topping voter concerns, the race could hinge on whose policies best address those realities.
Sherrill has centered her campaign on economic equity and social investment, pledging to expand affordable housing programs, protect abortion rights, and increase state funding for historically underfunded school districts—many of which serve majority-Black communities. She’s also voiced support for police accountability measures, including stronger civilian review boards and state oversight of misconduct cases.
Ciattarelli, meanwhile, has emphasized tax relief and public safety, arguing that high taxes and crime disproportionately hurt working-class families, including Black homeowners and small business owners. While he’s supported incentives for minority-owned businesses, his critics note that his opposition to certain police reform proposals and diversity initiatives puts him at odds with many racial justice advocates.
The contest has drawn national attention, particularly after former President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Ciattarelli and the Department of Justice, under Trump’s direction, announced plans to send “election monitors” to Passaic County—a move Democrats and civil rights groups condemned as an attempt to intimidate voters of color.
Despite making up a significant share of the electorate in key regions, Black voter turnout in New Jersey remains historically low. That reality could determine the outcome—and shape how seriously future leaders address racial and economic disparities in the Garden State.
This is the third in an ongoing series where The Root goes beyond the headlines, digging deep into the most critical political campaigns of 2025.
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