Mikie Sherrill won 15 of New Jersey's 21 counties in the crowded primary for governor, building a coalition in the crowded race that stretched from North Jersey to Cape May. How did she do it?

Despite a packed field of candidates on Primary Election Day 2025 in New Jersey, it didn't take long for the winners to emerge: U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (left) and former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli (right). Each won their party's nomination and will compete in November to fill the seat that will be vacated by two-term Gov. Phil Murphy.

Democrats will choose a nominee for New Jersey governor from among six prominent candidates, including two big-city mayors, two members of Congress and two union leaders. With a redesigned ballot intended to give all candidates a fair shot, it is the first race in decades that was not largely predetermined by local party leaders.