2025 New Jersey Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage

OnTheIssues.org excerpts:  (click on issues for details)

Abortion     Jack Ciattarelli: Oppose the so-called "Reproductive Freedom Act" .     Jon Bramnick: Pro-choice but doesn't support late-term abortions.     Josh Gottheimer: Protect reproductive freedom, keep IVF accessible.     Mikie Sherrill: Enshrine the right to an abortion in the state constitution.     Ras Baraka: Anti-Roe Court would rather control women's bodies.     Steve Fulop: Created program to meet reproductive healthcare needs.

Budget & Economy     Mikie Sherrill: Provide financing to repurpose infrastructure for housing.     Edward Durr: Our Government has become too large.     Jon Bramnick: Overturn the recently enacted housing mandates.     Mikie Sherrill: I will tackle congestion and our aging infrastructure.     Stephen Sweeney: State needs a stable and predictable funding process.     Steve Fulop: Ensure dedicated funding for Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

Civil Rights     Edward Durr: Would restrict teaching sexual orientation/gender identity.     Jack Ciattarelli: DEI is affirmative action on steroids.     Ras Baraka: Reiterated the need for LGBTQ protections in Newark schools.

Crime     Edward Durr: Governor refused to stand with our law enforcement officers.     Jack Ciattarelli: Toughen bail reform rules governing juvenile offenders.     Jack Ciattarelli: Changed position, supports Trump's pardon of Jan. 6 rioters.     Jon Bramnick: Increase penalties for violent criminals.     Josh Gottheimer: Hire more cops on the beat and expand community policing.     Mikie Sherrill: Critical that we invest in comprehensive reentry services.     Ras Baraka: People don't understand crime is a public-health issue.     Steve Fulop: Prosecute repeat offenders in an escalating fashion.

Drugs     Mikie Sherrill: Move carefully on legalization of marijuana.     Ras Baraka: Treat home grown cannabis the same as other gardening.     Stephen Sweeney: NJ cannabis industry could foster 42,000 jobs.

Education     Edward Durr: Parents don't have a say in the schools.     Jack Ciattarelli: Implement a Parents' Bill of Rights providing transparency.     Jon Bramnick: Expand charter schools, implement robust school choice.     Mikie Sherrill: Make school meals available at no cost for every student .     Mikie Sherrill: For regional magnet schools attracting diverse students.     Ras Baraka: Bonuses to schools that expand enrollment through diversity.     Steve Fulop: Use magnet schools to bring diverse students together.

Energy & Oil     Edward Durr: Do I think that we are killing the world? No!     Jack Ciattarelli: Ban offshore wind farms from being built off our coast.     Jon Bramnick: Eliminate the ban on the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035.     Josh Gottheimer: Affordable energy will take an all-of-the-above approach.     Mikie Sherrill: I will pursue all-of-the-above clean energy investments.     Ras Baraka: I will aggressively pursue our transition from fossil fuels.     Stephen Sweeney: We need gas; we need pipelines; we need all-the-above.     Steve Fulop: A proven track record of moving towards renewable energy.

Environment     Mikie Sherrill: Applauds EPA for mitigating PFAs contamination.     Ras Baraka: Thanked EPA for helping Newark replace lead pipes.     Steve Fulop: Force polluters to pay for the damage they caused.

Families & Children     Josh Gottheimer: Expand Child Tax Credit to help cover cost of child care.     Mikie Sherrill: I will expand New Jersey's child tax credit.     Steve Fulop: Sixth city in the US to ensure paid sick leave.

Foreign Policy     Ras Baraka: Called for ceasefire in Gaza, release of hostages.

Government Reform     Jack Ciattarelli: Create the NJ Department of Government Efficiency.     Jack Ciattarelli: Require all voters to produce photo ID at the polls.     Jon Bramnick: Create a citizen led Government Efficiency Panel.     Ras Baraka: Home rule prevents building affordable housing.     Ras Baraka: Make every vote count; make voting as easy as possible.     Stephen Sweeney: Opposes allowing initiatives and referendums on the ballot.     Steve Fulop: Same-day voter registration would increase turnout.

Gun Control     Jack Ciattarelli: Fast track status for applicants who face imminent danger.     Ras Baraka: New Jersey endangered by weak gun laws in other states.

Health Care     Edward Durr: Don't punish doctors for misinformation on treatment.     Jack Ciattarelli: Oppose a one-size-fits-all vaccination schedule.     Jon Bramnick: Ensure appropriate Medicaid reimbursement rates.     Mikie Sherrill: Mandate greater transparency in health care pricing.     Mikie Sherrill: Affordable, accessible healthcare is a lifeline for families.     Ras Baraka: Expand services to address social determinants of health.     Steve Fulop: We're going to ban premium hikes based on ZIP code.

Homeland Security     Jack Ciattarelli: Provide programs and benefits to all veterans.     Josh Gottheimer: Imperative to fix budget shortfall in veterans benefits.

Immigration     Jack Ciattarelli: Ban municipalities declaring themselves Sanctuary Cities.     Jon Bramnick: I would end sanctuary states, we have to follow the law.     Mikie Sherrill: Ensure no retaliation for dealing with police, health care.     Ras Baraka: Ensure police aren't arms of federal immigration enforcement.     Stephen Sweeney: Would repeal New Jersey's "sanctuary" state status.     Steve Fulop: Uphold and strengthen the Immigrant Trust Directive.

Principles & Values     Edward Durr: He is a Christian, blue-collar, and patriotic American.     Jon Bramnick: Wouldn't take Trump's endorsement even if offered.     Josh Gottheimer: I will always stand up to bigotry in all forms.     Ras Baraka: Commitment to building a brighter and more inclusive future.     Steve Fulop: Would oppose legislating definition of antisemitism.

Social Security     Jack Ciattarelli: Will never support cuts to Social Security or Medicare.

Tax Reform     Edward Durr: We have taxed the people to the verge of death.     Jack Ciattarelli: Cut the Corporation Business Tax by 1% per year for 5 years.     Jon Bramnick: Cut income taxes; simplify brackets; adjust for inflation.     Josh Gottheimer: I will cut property taxes for everyone by nearly 15%.     Ras Baraka: Tax breaks for the wealthy make the rest of us pay the bills.

Click for quotations from other sources by: Edward Durr New Jersey Republican Jack Ciattarelli New Jersey Republican Challenger Jon Bramnick New Jersey Republican Josh Gottheimer New Jersey Democrat Mikie Sherrill New Jersey Democrat Ras Baraka New Jersey Democrat Stephen Sweeney New Jersey Democrat Steve Fulop New Jersey Democratic 2017 Gubernatorial candidate

The above quotations are from 2025 New Jersey Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Gov. Murphy up for re-election in 2025:
2021 NJ Gubernatorial debate Incumbent Phil Murphy(D)
vs.State Rep. Jack Ciattarelli(R)
vs.Candidate Hirsh Singh(R)
vs.GOP Chair Doug Steinhardt(R)
Past gubernatorial races:
2017 New Jersey gubernatorial debate,
Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno (R, won 2017 primary)
Phil Murphy(D, won 2017 election)
vs.Ray Lesniak(D, lost 2017 primary)
Mayor Steve Fulop (declined Dem. primary, Sept. 2016)
Seth Kaper-Dale(G)
Former gubernatorial races:
2013 New Jersey gubernatorial debates
2009 N.J. gubernatorial debates
Former Challengers:
State Sen. Barbara Buono (D)

2023-2024 Gubernatorial debates:   -   DE - IN - KY - LA - MO - MS - MT - NC - ND - NH - UT - VT - WA - WV - 2024 Gubernatorial coverage: Gubernatorial incumbents and 2023-24 challengers 2024 Gubernatorial debate summary 2023 State of the State speeches 2020 gubernatorial campaign websites

2024 Senatorial debates:   -   AZ - CA - CT - DE - FL - HI - IN - MA - MD - ME - MI -   -   MN - MO - MS - MT - NE - ND - NJ - NM - NV - NY - OH -   -   PA - RI - TN - TX - UT - VA - VT - WA - WI - WV - WY -