Anxious Democrats are hauling out their biggest political star to try to prevent what would be a devastating loss in blue state New Jersey. Former President Barack Obama is set to stump Saturday for gubernatorial candidate Rep. Mikie Sherrill.
Obama, 64, will rally with Sherrill, 53, in Newark in an 11th-hour bid to boost turnout in her race against Republican Jack Ciattarelli, 63. His appearance comes after a shock poll by Atlas Intel on Saturday showed Sherrill leading Ciattarelli by less than a single point—50.2% to 49.3%—which is within the margin of error.
Motivating minority Democrats is key to Sherrill’s survival. Newark’s population is nearly 50% Black and more than a third Hispanic. According to a Suffolk University poll released Thursday, Sherrill leads Ciattarelli 65% to 12% among Black voters and 63% to 18% among Hispanic voters.
Obama had already attended a $1.5 million fundraiser for the four-term New Jersey House member, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and retired Navy helicopter pilot. This rally comes a year after Obama campaigned with former Vice President Kamala Harris in Milwaukee during her bid against President Trump—although Harris lost the race decisively.
There are no indications that President Joe Biden will stump for Sherrill. Notably, on July 9, 2024, Sherrill called for Biden to drop out of the presidential race, saying, “The stakes are too high and the threat is too real to stay silent.” Biden’s popularity remains low; Gallup reported him as the least popular president as of February, with just 39% approval, while Obama was the most popular living president at 59%.
Ciattarelli is also holding his own event in Monmouth. He told The Post that “The candidate has to go out and win the race. I know my opponent’s bringing in this person, that person. She could bring in the ghost of FDR. It’s not going to matter.”
In a typical off-year election in a blue state with a Republican White House, Democrats might not be so anxious. But Sherrill is clinging to a narrow lead of less than 3% in the Real Clear Politics polling average, seeking to succeed term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy (D) in a state Joe Biden carried by 16 percentage points in 2020. Former Vice President Kamala Harris defeated Donald Trump in New Jersey by just 52% to 46%. Four years ago, Ciattarelli outperformed the polls, adding to Democratic concern.
The Republican National Committee has been surging resources to the state. Sherrill had some good news in early voting reports, with Democrats holding an edge in raw vote count, though by less than 2 percentage points.
Running a more centrist campaign, Sherrill stands apart from leftists like socialist Zohran Mamdani, who attracts international attention in neighboring New York. However, if Sherrill loses, it may be due to her faltering responses during interviews. When asked by Marcia Kramer of CBS New York what piece of legislation she would pass first, she stalled, saying, “Wow, I would like… that’s a really good question, because there are so many that are coming to mind right now.” New Jersey State Senator Holly Schepisi (R) called the answer “disastrous.”
Sherrill has also faced scrutiny over revelations that she did not walk during her 1994 graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy commencement ceremony. She claims this was due to being penalized for not reporting classmates involved in an infamous cheating scandal.
On his part, Ciattarelli narrowly lost a 51-48% race to Democratic Governor Phil Murphy in 2021, and he is attacking Sherrill over her interview gaffe in his own campaign ads. His campaign is supported by former President Trump, who may be helping Ciattarelli the most by staying out of New Jersey in the race’s final days.
Trump flew to Mar-a-Lago from Washington, D.C., Friday after his return from Asia and chose not to visit his Bedminster, New Jersey golf club, which he often frequents during summer. Schepisi believes Trump’s absence is strategic.
“I think that it’s a very delicate balance where people who do currently support our president were not necessarily motivated four years ago to vote. I think this go-round they are motivated regardless of whether or not the president comes and stumps personally,” she said.
Schepisi added, “The harm in him doing so is potentially motivating a currently fairly unmotivated base of voters to come out as a protest vote.”
“Enthusiasm is strongly on Jack’s side,” said Bill Palatucci, an RNC member from New Jersey. Palatucci has been working with the party’s “election integrity team,” which has recruited lawyers in every county.
Ciattarelli faces the challenge of motivating Trump’s base without alienating independents or moderate Democrats in this purple state. Back in 2015, Ciattarelli said Trump was “not fit to be president.” This campaign cycle, after a tele-rally held by Trump last week, Ciattarelli gave Trump an “A” grade for his second term.
New Jersey and Virginia are the only states holding governor’s races on Tuesday. Obama also planned an appearance in Norfolk, Virginia, with former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer battling Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears.
The total campaign spending for the New Jersey governor’s race is expected to top $200 million, with the two-party committees contributing a combined $34 million.
https://nypost.com/2025/11/01/us-news/obama-rallies-with-mikie-sherrill-in-jersey-in-tightening-race/
