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Governors

Democrats React to Gubernatorial Primary Loss

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Following Rep. Mikie Sherrill's convincing win in the New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial primary, several party members expressed a commitment to unity and vowed to support the party's nominee in the November election. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop acknowledged their defeats and emphasized the importance of working-class families and grassroots movements in the state.

Key Takeaways:

  • Newark Mayor Ras Baraka placed second in the primary election, garnering 20% of the vote.
  • Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop came in third with 16% of the vote.
  • Rep. Josh Gottheimer won 12% of the vote, while teachers union president Sean Spiller captured 11%.
  • Former state Sen. Steve Sweeney placed last with 7% of the vote.
  • Baraka emphasized the need for party unity and vowed to continue fighting for working-class families, stating "This is the beginning. It's not the end of anything. We want to build a broad-based coalition across this state of community activists, of union, of labor, of progressives across the state of New Jersey, across zip code and nationality, across religion and how you identify."
  • Fulop acknowledged the "tough, tough night" for Democrats but stressed the importance of electing a Democrat in November.
  • Gottheimer congratulated Sherrill on her win and stated he will continue to fight for the Fifth Congressional District.
  • Sherrill won a resounding victory, taking the win in all but five of the state's 21 counties.
  • An outside group funded by the teachers union spent around $40 million boosting Spiller's campaign.

Statistics:

  • Sherrill secured 34% of the vote, with Baraka in second place at 20%.
  • Fulop trailed with 16% of the vote.
  • Gottheimer won 12% and Spiller captured 11%.
  • Sweeney, the last-place contender, secured 7% of the vote.
  • An outside group funded by the teachers union spent around $40 million boosting Spiller's campaign.
  • Sherrill won the primary election in 16 counties.
  • Baraka won the primary election in 3 counties.
  • Fulop won the primary election in 2 counties.

Sources:

  • (https://newjerseymonitor.com/2025/06/10/congresswoman-wins-democratic-primary-in-new-jersey-governors-race/)
  • (https://newjerseymonitor.com/2025/06/10/gop-voters-pick-ex-assemblyman-as-nominee-for-new-jersey-governor/)
  • (https://newjerseymonitor.com/2025/05/09/newark-mayor-detained-by-federal-agents-during-protest-at-ice-jail/)
  • (https://newjerseymonitor.com/2025/05/21/judge-admonishes-prosecutors-over-handling-of-newark-mayors-arrest/)
  • (https://newjerseymonitor.com/briefs/jersey-city-mayor-steve-fulop-announces-run-for-governor-in-2025/)
  • (https://e.ddhq.io/v4/e/?c=eyJhbGciOiJFUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.IntcInJhY2VJRHNcIjpbMjQwODQwXX0i.17h-N2F4oItBFMv7QoXnMHExeCzNL5wLHbcSp_l5wt1LauheJ1Vas7LEDHR8vEYg158EPLqU8nPn7Kpm7ah1_Q&id=e-LUMF)
  • (https://newjerseymonitor.com/2025/06/02/teachers-union-pac-has-given-40m-to-group-backing-union-presidents-gubernatorial-run/)

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