New Jersey Primary Election Results — A Turning Point Across the State
Voters in New Jersey cast ballots for both high-profile statewide races and down-ballot legislative contests in the June 10 primaries, shaking up the political landscape and setting the stage for a crucial November rematch.
Gubernatorial Nominees: Sherrill vs. Ciattarelli
On the Democratic side, U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill secured the nomination with approximately 34% of the vote, outpacing six rivals including Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop. Sherrill—a former Navy helicopter pilot and federal prosecutor—ran on a centrist, affordability-focused platform. Her victory was published shortly after polls closed.
The Republican primary concluded even more decisively. Former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli claimed the nomination with nearly 67% of the vote, buoyed by an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. He re-embraced Trump’s agenda, campaigning on issues such as property tax cuts and opposition to sanctuary-city policies.
These primaries marked a significant change: the first without the traditional “county line” ballot advantage in nearly a decade. This reform, coupled with staggering spending—over $120 million in ads—forced candidates to compete on equal footing.
Voter turnout reflected robust engagement, particularly among Democrats, who cast more than 330,000 ballots compared to about 130,000 for Republicans.
Now set for a November 4 showdown, Sherrill enters the general election as the slight front-runner in a race widely regarded as a national bellwether.
Hot Competition in Legislative District 32 (Jersey City & Hoboken)
The primary in the 32nd legislative district, covering parts of Jersey City and Hoboken, captured attention as a high-stakes battleground. Katie Brennan, an independent progressive housing policy expert, currently leads the six-way field with 6,376 votes (19.4%), positioning herself for one of the two Assembly seats.
Close on her heels is Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla with 6,186 votes (18.8%), while incumbent Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez follows with 6,024 votes (18.3%), trailing Bhalla by a slim margin of just 162 votes.
Ramirez ran alongside Councilman Yousef Saleh on the “Democrats for Change” slate, backed by Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop. Her campaign raised $49,000 early this year, including a personal loan of $80,000.
The race also featured candidates backed by the Hudson County Democratic Organization: Jennie Pu (4,873 votes, 14.8%), Yousef Saleh (4,730 votes, 14.4%), and Crystal Fonseca (4,621 votes, 14.1%).
Brennan and Bhalla formed a joint slate under the banner “Democrats for the People” and were endorsed by groups including Hoboken’s police unions and a trio of Council candidates aligned with Jersey City Councilman James Solomon’s mayoral campaign.
Ramirez, meanwhile, secured endorsements from environmental and good-government groups like the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters and the Good Government Coalition.
The race is one of the closest in recent memory, with all six candidates running progressive platforms. Officials in Hudson County have confirmed that no additional ballots will be counted tonight—final tallies are expected tomorrow.
The Bigger Picture & What Comes Next
New Jersey voters will return in the General Election on November 4, selecting a governor and all 80 members of the State Assembly. Democrats currently hold a 52–28 majority in the Assembly.
With powerful endorsements and unprecedented spending, this primary cycle has tested candidates across the political spectrum—from establishment-backed slates to insurgent progressives.
The slates arising in District 32 reflect a broader shift in Hudson County, where grassroots activism and independent candidates are breaking away from traditional party structures. The outcome in HD-32, along with the Sherrill vs. Ciattarelli gubernatorial matchup, will offer key insights into voter sentiment as the 2026 midterms approach.
