Former President Barack Obama visited Newark on Saturday to stump for Mikie Sherrill, declaring the Democratic nominee for New Jersey governor is the level-headed leader the state needs and that Republican rival Jack Ciattarelli is a “suck-up” to President Donald Trump and GOP leaders.
“You have a candidate worth being excited about,” Obama said before a crowd at Essex County College Gymnasium, where he and Sherrill, a congresswoman, headlined a get-out-the-vote rally.
Obama arrived in the Garden State just three days before voters will decide a closely contested race to succeed Gov. Phil Murphy, a term-limited Democrat who has led the state since 2018.
Ciattarelli, a former state Assemblyman, is making his third straight run for governor, this time with Trump’s endorsement. Obama said Ciattarelli’s strategy is to “suck up to” Republicans in Washington.
“You deserve a governor who’s gonna think for herself,” Obama said of Sherrill.
Both campaigns are locked in a sprint to boost turnout in what has become one of the most closely watched races in the country.
Former President Barack Obama stumps for Mikie Sherrill at a Get Out The Vote Rally at Essex County College in Newark on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media
The race is one of only two gubernatorial elections in the nation this year, along with Virginia. Obama started his day campaigning for that state’s Democratic nominee, Abigail Spanberger, before his speech in New Jersey.
Obama praised Sherrill’s work as a Navy helicopter pilot, former federal prosecutor, and U.S. House member all while raising four kids.
“I get tired just thinking about it,” he said. “It makes her the kind of leader who knows the mission, who knows who she’s supposed to serve.”
Hundreds packed the gym as Democratic supporters cheered for Obama, still one of the party’s biggest stars — and to support Sherrill.
“I’m committed to fighting anyone when it comes to fighting for New Jersey,” Sherrill said. “As I stand here, I feel nothing but courage.”
Former President Barack Obama speaks in Newark on Saturday. Behind him is Democratic gubernatorial nominee Mikie Sherrill.Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media
Sherrill reconfirmed she will declare a state of emergency on her first day in office to freeze utility rate hikes and curb the cost of living.
“I want you to be able to afford to live in New Jersey and build something,” she said. “I want to make sure everyone here has a shot in this state.”
Trump won back the White House and his fellow Republicans retook control of Congress last year, and the governor’s races in New Jersey and Virginia are seen as early referendums on their return to power.
Obama told the crowd he understood why people, including New Jerseyans, backed Trump and the GOP in 2024, citing “frustration” with the economy. But he said the country is heading in the wrong direction under the Trump administration.
“Every day this White House offers up a fresh batch of lawlessness and carelessness and mean spiritedness and just plain old craziness,” Obama said.
“The good news is: There is something you can do about it, New Jersey,” he added to the sea of supporters. The crowd was on their feet the entire time for the former president, who spoke for about 40 minutes.
Obama also criticized Ciattarelli for giving Trump an “A” grade during the final gubernatorial debate.
“I know there’s been great inflation, but really an A? This is the best we could do?“ Obama asked. “I mean, these are the same folks who put secret war plans in a group chat. You don’t think there’s anything they could be doing better?“
Ciattarelli’s campaign did not immediately return a message seeking comment on the event.
Obama told the audience if voters choose to elect Sherrill, they “will set a glorious example for this nation” during a time of political turmoil.
“We’ve got the chance to elect a leader who’s going to help build a better, stronger, brighter future for New Jersey,” he said. “And Lord knows we need that light. We need that inspiration. Because let’s face it: Our country and our politics are in a pretty dark place right now.”
The crowd at Saturday’s rally at Essex County College.Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media
Sherrill pledged to take on Trump directly.
“My fight doesn’t and can’t end at the border of New Jersey,” she said. “We’ve got to take on all of those hits coming from Trump and Washington D.C.”
Top state Democrats warmed up the crowd, led by U.S. Sen. Cory Booker and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, whom Sherrill defeated in a heated Democratic gubernatorial primary this spring.
Booker told the crowd the Democratic Party has an ”extraordinary” candidate for this race, someone he described as having strong ideals. He added this was a “rare” moment for New Jersey to “defend” the state against the Trump administration by electing Sherrill.
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Mikie Sherrill speaks on Saturday.Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media
Polls have consistently shown Sherrill ahead in the blue-leaning state, but by single-digit margins. A Friday poll from AtlasIntel — among the most accurate pollsters in the country — showed the race was nearly a dead heat, with Sherrill very narrowly ahead of Ciattarelli at 50.2% to 49.3%.
Obama endorsed Sherrill in a video ad last week, praising her record. His involvement has amplified national attention on the race.
Ciattarelli has leaned heavily on Trump’s backing throughout the campaign.
Trump endorsed him in the spring and held a telephone rally for him last week, calling the race “very important” for his agenda and saying Ciattarelli has “a friend in the White House.”
The president mocked Sherrill’s “unusual name” during the call and said she would send New Jersey “into a death spiral.”
Ciattarelli’s alliance with Trump could be decisive — or risky — in a state where Democrats hold a registration advantage but affordability concerns dominate voter priorities. The contest has featured record spending, sharp attacks and intense efforts to court independents and suburban voters.
Republicans have downplayed Obama’s visit, saying it’s a sign Democrats are nervous about the race.
Mikie Sherrill greets supporters at Saturday’s event.Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media
Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin told NJ Advance Media on Friday that Obama’s visit shows Democrats aren’t “going to take anything for granted” despite Sherrill being up in the polls.
“We’re not going to believe the polls,” Martin said in a phone interview. “There’s no one who can speak to the stakes of this election like Barack Obama. And so I’m grateful that he’s coming in. I think it will give a huge boost in the arm to all the activists and the volunteers who’ve been working so hard in the trenches for many months now to just keep their foot on the gas and do the work they need to put us over the finish line on Tuesday.”
The last time Obama stumped for a New Jersey gubernatorial candidate was in 2021, when he headlined a Newark rally for Murphy’s re-election bid against Ciattarelli. At that event, Obama praised Murphy’s pandemic leadership and framed the race as a choice between progress and regression.
Supporters attend a rally Saturday at Essex County College in Newark where former President Barack Obama stumped for New Jersey governor candidate Mikie Sherrill.John Jones | For NJ Advance Media
Murphy ultimately won by just 51.22% to 48%, a margin of about 84,000 votes out of more than 2.6 million cast — one of the closest gubernatorial races in decades.
Obama joked about Ciattarelli gunning for the job a third time.
“I believe in persistence, but at a certain point …” the former president quipped.
Ciattarelli, meanwhile, appeared at a town hall broadcast live Wednesday night on Fox News with host Sean Hannity in Point Pleasant. Hannity pointed out polls that show a close race.
“I came up here because this is a huge political earthquake,” Hannity told the crowd before the taping, according to a report by the New Jersey Monitor. “It will rock the nation.”
Ciattarelli said: “All I can tell you is when I go around the state, the energy is electric.”
NJ Advance Media staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report.
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