11-05-2025 3:19pm

Democrats Win New Jersey Governor’s Race and Expand Influence in Morristown

Chris Connors Editor

New Jersey’s 2025 election strengthens Democratic control at both state and local levels, with key victories in Morris County.

NEW JERSEY - In the November 4, 2025, general election, Democratic Representative Mikie Sherrill secured a decisive victory in the New Jersey gubernatorial race, defeating Republican Jack Ciattarelli with 56.2% of the vote to his 43.2%, according to nearly complete returns. The election marks a significant moment in state politics, as Democrats not only retained the governor’s office but maintained full control over all major levers of state government. This marks the first time the same party captured the governor's office for more than two consequtive terms in the last fifty years.

Sherrill, a former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor who has served in Congress since 2019, campaigned on bolstering education funding, expanding green infrastructure, and protecting reproductive rights. Her opponent, Jack Ciattarelli, a businessman and former state assemblyman, was running for governor for the third time. This year, he had the backing of former President Donald Trump, who remains a powerful figure in the national Republican Party.

Despite that endorsement, Ciattarelli failed to make inroads with suburban and urban voters, particularly in North Jersey counties such as Hudson and Passaic. Both regions, which swung toward Trump in the 2024 presidential election, showed a notable shift back toward Democrats this year. Voter turnout was strong in Essex, Middlesex, and Mercer Counties, further boosting Sherrill’s performance.

In terms of state government control, Democrats preserved their majority in the State Senate and State Assembly, though Senate Senate was not up for re-election this cycle. With the governor’s mansion now under Sherrill’s leadership, New Jersey enters 2026 with unified Democratic governance, positioning the state to potentially advance progressive legislative initiatives on climate change, infrastructure, and public health.

Local Results: Morristown and Morris County

In Morristown, incumbent Mayor Timothy P. Dougherty was re-elected with 3,322 votes, defeating Republican Bruce Meringolo (1,468 votes) and independent Andrea Lekberg (888 votes). Dougherty’s win extends his tenure in a town where Democrats have maintained consistent electoral strength over the last decade.

For Morristown Town Council At-Large, Democrats David Silva (3,567 votes), Nathan Umbriac (3,530 votes), and Toshiba Foster (3,456 votes) won the three available seats, decisively outpacing Republican challengers Andrew Delaney (1,858 votes), Celeste J. Kaitsa (1,731 votes), and Aaron “A.J.” Oliver (1,710 votes). These results further solidify Democratic leadership in municipal government.

Morris County as a whole leaned more Republican in statewide races. In the gubernatorial contest, Ciattarelli narrowly lost the county, receiving 109,068 votes to Sherrill’s 110,913 — a razor-thin margin in a county that has historically favored GOP candidates. Despite this close result, Democratic performance in Morristown and other municipalities like Morris Township and Dover suggests growing voter alignment with Democratic platforms in population centers.

Republican James Gannon was re-elected as Morris County Sheriff, receiving 136,686 votes, far surpassing the total write-in count. Meanwhile, GOP candidates Christine Myers, Douglas Cabana, and Thomas Mastrangelo retained their seats on the Morris County Board of Commissioners, defeating Democratic challengers Marie DeVenezia, Max Blum, and Jocelyn Mathiasen.

On the county ballot question, voters approved the measure by a wide margin, with over 144,000 votes in favor and just over 25,000 against. In Morristown specifically, the ballot question passed 3,107 to 1,222.

Broader Election Trends

New Jersey’s results were echoed in several other urban and suburban races across the country, where Democrats either held ground or made gains. Notably:

Virginia saw Democrat Abigail Spanberger win the governorship with 57.2% of the vote, flipping the seat from Republican control. The state’s House of Delegates also shifted to Democratic control, creating a new Democratic trifecta - Governor, State Senate, House of Delegates all in Democratic control.
In New York City, progressive Democrat Zohran Mamdani won the mayoral race with 50.4%, outperforming former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent and garnered 41.6%. Mamdani’s coalition expanded since the primary, particularly in Black and Hispanic neighborhoods, including a flip of the Bronx.
Democratic mayoral candidates also secured re-election or new terms in major cities like Minneapolis, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh, most by substantial margins.

Ballot Measures

Two major ballot measures demonstrated diverging state priorities:

In California, voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 50, a Democratic-backed redistricting initiative, with 63.8% in favor. The measure aims to make it easier for Democrats to reclaim five Republican-held congressional seats.
Conversely, in Maine, voters rejected a proposed set of voting restrictions, including photo ID requirements and limits on absentee ballots. The measure failed with 63.7% voting "No," signaling resistance to tighter voting laws.

Takeaways for New Jersey and Beyond

The 2025 elections showcased a significant rebound for Democrats in areas that had leaned Republican in 2024, particularly among Hispanic and suburban voters. In New Jersey, the outcome may reflect concerns over reproductive rights, education, and economic stability, which were central themes in Sherrill’s campaign.

With full Democratic control in Trenton, policy priorities in the coming year are expected to focus on infrastructure, climate resilience, public transit improvements, and healthcare access. As New Jersey prepares for a presidential election year in 2026, the 2025 results provide a strong signal of the state’s political direction — and its potential influence on national trends.