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Former President Barack Obama is set to campaign with Democrat Mikie Sherrill in Newark, New Jersey, on November 1. Sherrill is in a tight race for governor against Republican Jack Ciattarelli. The rally comes just days before Election Day, adding significant attention to one of the few odd-year gubernatorial elections in the United States.
Sherrill, a former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor, has been in a heated contest with Ciattarelli, a longtime New Jersey politician and small business owner. The race has drawn national interest, with both candidates receiving endorsements from prominent figures in their parties. President Donald Trump has endorsed Ciattarelli and praised him on Truth Social, while Obama has released an endorsement video for Sherrill, calling her the "right choice" for New Jersey.
According to a recent Rutgers Eagleton poll, Sherrill holds a five-point lead over Ciattarelli. However, political experts note that New Jersey, while typically leaning Democratic in presidential elections, has a history of electing governors from both major parties. If Sherrill wins, it would mark the first time since the 1960s that New Jersey elects a governor from the same party for three consecutive terms.
The campaign has been marked by personal attacks, with Ciattarelli criticizing Sherrill over a test-cheating incident at the Naval Academy and Sherrill accusing Ciattarelli's former company of downplaying opioid dangers. Despite these tensions, voters are primarily concerned with issues like the state's high cost of living.
As the election approaches, both candidates are focusing on addressing these economic concerns, with Ciattarelli emphasizing his accounting background to tackle high property taxes and Sherrill advocating for housing development and energy cost freezes.
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