The significance of South Jersey in the 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial election: Exploring its impact
In the 2021 New Jersey gubernatorial election, the Democratic incumbent, Phil Murphy, had a consistently strong lead over the Republican challenger, Jack Ciattarelli, according to polling a week before the election. However, Election Day saw Ciattarelli coming close to an upset, ultimately losing by a mere 3% in a low-turnout election that saw Murphy securing his second term.
South Jersey, which has historically played a significant role in the state’s gubernatorial elections, is no stranger to political intrigue and swaying outcomes. In 2025, with Republican contender Jack Ciattarelli gearing up for his third run for governor and former Senate President Steve Sweeney hoping to garner the Democratic nomination, attention has turned towards South Jersey as a key factor in the race.
Political analysts attributed a surge in votes in Republican-leaning counties as a significant factor in Ciattarelli's near victory, particularly in South Jersey where he managed to flip three counties that went for Murphy in 2017: Atlantic, Cumberland, and Gloucester counties.
Ciattarelli’s campaign efforts in South Jersey, particularly in Vineland, have been praised by local leaders such as Mayor Anthony Fanucci, who acknowledged the Republican’s dedication to understanding and addressing issues important to the region, including tourism, agriculture, infrastructure, and economic development.
On the Democratic side, former Senate President Steve Sweeney is the lone gubernatorial candidate from South Jersey. Despite being near the bottom of opinion polls, Sweeney has garnered broad support from Democratic committees in Atlantic, Camden, and other South Jersey counties, with the exception of Cape May County.
The shift in the primary ballot system, which no longer dictates placement on the ballot based on party endorsements, places greater importance on the ground game and grassroots efforts in South Jersey counties.
Whether this regional support will translate to success in the April 2025 primary remains to be seen. However, analysts suggest that the nominee who can effectively appeal to South Jersey’s electorate will have a significant advantage.
As the race unfolds, candidates from both parties will need to turn their attention towards South Jersey if they aspire to take up residence in the Governor's mansion at Drumthwacket.
Migration patterns could shift due to the political landscape in South Jersey, where the 2025 gubernatorial race is showing war-and-conflicts within parties. The outcomes of policy-and-legislation and the political affiliation of the candidates may influence the general news coverage of the region.
The impact of politics in South Jersey is apparent through its role in determining the election results, as shown by the change in vote patterns in the 2021 gubernatorial election. This trend indicates that the region's electorate could play a decisive role in the 2025 primary and the subsequent general election.
