New Jersey election results 2025: Here’s who won and who lost – WHYY

Lead

Election Day 2025 in New Jersey concluded with several high‑profile outcomes that drew national attention. Democrat Mikie Sherrill defeated Republican Jack Ciattarelli in a closely watched contest as vote tallies were finalized across the state. Local and down‑ballot races produced mixed results for both parties, with control of some legislative seats and county offices remaining contested. Full returns continue to be posted by county election officials and state authorities.

Key Takeaways

• Mikie Sherrill (D) defeated Jack Ciattarelli (R) in the featured New Jersey contest; results were certified as counties completed counts.
• Multiple legislative and county races across Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington and other counties shifted or were retained; county‑by‑county returns were published for all 21 New Jersey counties.
• Turnout patterns varied regionally, with suburban districts drawing national attention ahead of the 2026 midterm cycle.
• Down‑ballot races and ballot questions influenced local funding and governance decisions, including measures on open space and public safety in several municipalities.
• Neighboring Pennsylvania saw incumbents retain key judicial and municipal offices, including Larry Krasner’s re‑election as Philadelphia DA.
• Election officials reported routine count procedures; no statewide irregularities were confirmed in initial reporting.

Background

New Jersey’s 2025 contests unfolded against a broader national backdrop of heightened interest in state legislative control and congressional positioning ahead of the 2026 midterms. The featured Sherrill–Ciattarelli matchup attracted outside spending and attention because both figures have statewide name recognition: Sherrill as the incumbent Democrat and Ciattarelli as a Republican with a strong profile from the 2021 gubernatorial campaign. Local issues — municipal services, taxation, and public safety funding — also drove voter engagement in many counties.

The Garden State’s mix of densely populated urban centers, suburban rings and rural counties produces diverse electoral dynamics; campaigns tailored messaging by county to address distinct local priorities. Historically, New Jersey midterm‑adjacent off‑year and special election outcomes have signaled voter sentiment that parties try to interpret for future cycles. County clerks and the New Jersey Division of Elections have handled certification and posting of precinct and county returns, following established procedures for canvassing and provisional ballot adjudication.

Main Event

The highest‑profile contest saw Mikie Sherrill emerge victorious over Jack Ciattarelli after canvasses across the state were completed. Campaign statements highlighted contrasting approaches to statewide and federal issues, with both sides emphasizing local economic concerns and infrastructure. Polling before the election showed competitive margins in several suburban districts that ultimately proved decisive for the outcome.

Across New Jersey, county reporting pages published returns for Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties. Officials reported routine vote counts and provisional ballot reviews; county canvass boards certified local results in line with statutory timelines. Several legislative seats changed hands, altering the balance in contested districts though statewide legislative control remained subject to final certification.

Ballot measures in certain municipalities received attention on issues such as open‑space acquisition and police funding, where voters in three townships approved or rejected tax increases to support local priorities. These local questions shaped council and mayoral contests, and in some instances determined immediate budgetary outcomes for those towns. Election administrators continued to update online dashboards with precinct‑level details as tabulation completed.

Analysis & Implications

Mikie Sherrill’s win reinforces the strength of Democratic incumbency in certain New Jersey districts, but the presence of high turnout suburbs and competitive margins signals that Republicans remain capable of contesting seats in play. Both parties are likely to parse precinct‑level data for lessons ahead of 2026, focusing on where turnout gains or messaging shifts produced measurable effects. National attention on this race underscores how state‑level contests can serve as early indicators for party momentum.

For New Jersey governance, the outcomes will shape legislative priorities, particularly on budget allocations and local aid programs. If legislative seat changes persist after final certification, leadership will reassess strategies for passing or blocking key bills in the coming session. Local ballot question results immediately affect municipal budgets and can prompt rapid policy adjustments at the town or county level, especially where tax measures were approved to fund parks or policing.

Regionally, results in neighboring Pennsylvania — where incumbents including Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner won re‑election and state Supreme Court justices were retained — suggest differing local dynamics but shared themes of voter focus on criminal justice and judicial retention. Parties planning for 2026 must take both New Jersey and Pennsylvania returns into account when allocating resources to tri‑state competitive areas around Philadelphia and New York.

Comparison & Data

The table above highlights select high‑visibility results; counties provided more granular vote totals on official canvass pages. Analysts will compare turnout and party performance against prior cycles to identify shifts in suburban and urban voting behavior. Detailed precinct returns are necessary to quantify margins, demographic patterns and the impact of campaign spending.

Reactions & Quotes

Campaigns and officials issued immediate responses as results came in, framing outcomes for supporters and outlining next steps.

Sherrill’s campaign issued a brief statement celebrating the win and focusing on policy priorities for the next term, while Ciattarelli’s team acknowledged the outcome and signaled continued engagement in statewide politics.

“We are grateful to the voters who put their trust in our message and will continue working on the issues that matter most to our communities.”

Mikie Sherrill campaign

Local election administrators emphasized the integrity of the count process and the role of provisional ballots and canvassing boards in finalizing results.

“County clerks followed statutory procedures throughout the canvass and will certify results according to state timelines.”

New Jersey county election official

Unconfirmed

• Any specific vote‑share percentages for late‑reporting precincts remain provisional until county certification, and precise margins may shift slightly after provisional ballot adjudication.
• Reports of organized irregularities were not substantiated in official updates at the time of publication and remain under review if additional complaints are filed.

Bottom Line

Mikie Sherrill’s victory over Jack Ciattarelli is the headline from New Jersey’s 2025 contests, but a range of local and legislative results across counties will also influence policy and partisan strategy ahead of the next national midterm. Parties will analyze precinct‑level data to read signals about voter priorities, especially in suburban districts that showed competitive dynamics.

Officials emphasized that canvassing and certification processes are ongoing where provisional ballots exist; final conclusions about long‑term political trends should await the certified returns and more detailed turnout analysis. For now, winners will transition to governing or to planning future campaigns, and voters will see immediate local impacts where ballot measures passed.

Sources

• WHYY News (regional public media reporting)
• New Jersey Division of Elections (official state election results)