![\"Curtis](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bashaw.png\")
<\/p>\nTimes Opinion convened a panel
of 11 local leaders to assess the
candidates for the Nov. 4 election.<\/p>\n
Oct. 15, 2025<\/p>\n
On a scale from 0-10, we asked panelists to rate each candidate\u2019s potential to be a great governor of New Jersey. <\/p>\n
\u200bNew Jersey voters face a critical choice on Nov. 4 when they choose between two very different candidates for governor: Mikie Sherrill, the Democrat, a fourth-term congresswoman and a former Navy helicopter pilot, and her Republican opponent, Jack Ciattarelli, a businessman and a former assemblyman making his third run for governor.<\/p>\n
Looming over the race is the specter of President Trump, whose approval rating in New Jersey has eroded, and whether voters punish or reward Mr. Ciattarelli for his alignment with the administration. Along with Virginia, New Jersey\u2019s governor\u2019s race will the first major barometer of voters\u2019 reaction to the first nine months of Mr. Trump\u2019s leadership in his second term. <\/p>\n
For this version of The Choice, Times Opinion convened a panel of 11 voters with a wide range of experience and expertise \u2014 from a union leader to a restaurant owner to a social justice worker and others \u2014 to assess the candidates and their ability to lead the state. What emerged was a spirited exchange over the candidates\u2019 qualifications that featured sharp disagreements over the role Mr. Trump\u2019s influence should play. \u201cI have a problem with anyone lying down and aligning themselves with Trump,\u201d said one panelist. But our panelists, even those who supported her, said Ms. Sherrill had not fully articulated her vision, leaving them \u201cconfused\u201d and wanting more specificity \u2014 and moxie. \u201cNow is the time to fight,\u201d said one.<\/p>\n
Their conversation and their assessment of the candidates can hopefully provide insight and guidance as New Jersey voters head to the polls next month. <\/p>\n
The Choice was prepared by Times Opinion editors using a brief questionnaire and a round-table discussion with all the panelists in mid-September, supplemented by individual conversations. The material has been edited for length and clarity.<\/p>\n
Jump to topic <\/p>\n
Affordability AffordabilityNew Jersey and Trump New Jersey and TrumpImmigration and Crime Immigration and CrimeEducation EducationTaxes and Finances Taxes and FinancesSizing Up the Candidates Sizing Up the Candidates<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Curtis Bashaw Hotel operator in Cape May<\/p>\n
The biggest issue facing our state is affordability. Democrats, Republicans, independents, men, women, young, old: People are afraid that their kids and their grandkids can\u2019t build a life in our state. I know a lot of people that are moving to Florida and Arizona and other states. Many of our college and high school graduates are leaving \u2014 so many people \u2014 and taking their money with them.<\/p>\n
![\"Arianna](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/czaplicki.png\")
<\/p>\n
Arianna L. Czaplicki Student and chair of the Hudson County Young Republicans<\/p>\n
I\u2019m in college and I\u2019m personally scared I won\u2019t be able to buy a house, be able to pay for basic necessities and plan my life enough to where I won\u2019t have to be working until I\u2019m like 70. It\u2019s a really big fear, not just for me, but with a lot of people my age.<\/p>\n
![\"Julia](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/rubin.png\")
<\/p>\n
Julia Sass Rubin Rutgers University professor<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t believe either candidate has a magic pill for affordability. Their proposed solutions, however, can either improve or worsen the situation. Sherrill is proposing a range of options to increase transparency, which is a good idea in a state dominated by political machines. Ciattarelli is promising to create an N.J. DOGE, modeled on the disastrous department that has decimated critical federal functions under the Trump administration.<\/p>\n
![\"Greg](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lalevee.png\")
<\/p>\n
Greg Lalevee Engineers union executive<\/p>\n
Your general blue-collar worker, our people, works paycheck to paycheck. Affordability, in my view, comes down to three buckets. There was an energy problem, when we saw our energy prices spike. There\u2019s a housing issue. And there\u2019s a school funding problem. The people in Trenton aren\u2019t solving it.<\/p>\n
Jack did serve in the Assembly, knows how the process works, knows how the sausage is made, if you will. And I think that\u2019s a strength, regardless of party affiliation.![\"Amy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/torres.png\")
<\/p>\n
Amy Torres Immigration nonprofit executive<\/p>\n
We have an affordability crisis in New Jersey because our leaders have a broken love affair with corporate influence.<\/p>\n
![\"John](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/vannini.png\")
<\/p>\n
John J. Vannini Co-owner of Vannini Farms<\/p>\n
Affordability is a problem everywhere for everybody. It comes in many different ways. Regulation is part of it. It keeps getting worse and worse. A lot of the small or medium-size farms are packing up and selling their land because they can\u2019t afford to deal with the regulation.<\/p>\n
![\"R.](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/edwards.png\")
<\/p>\n
R. Todd Edwards Consultant and N.A.A.C.P official<\/p>\n
Transportation in South Jersey would be a major issue for us down there. People have to take the bus line, and there\u2019s no real hub of trains or subway systems like you guys have here in the north. There\u2019s none of that for us in the south.<\/p>\n
![\"Marilyn](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/schlossbach.png\")
<\/p>\n
Marilyn Schlossbach Jersey Shore restaurateur<\/p>\n
No way to get here nor there.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/boyer.png\")
<\/p>\n
The Rev. Charles Boyer Social justice advocate<\/p>\n
For the Black community, it\u2019s more exacerbated because of the racial wealth gap. Affordable housing is a major issue, especially given the history of very, very targeted predatory lending to Black people with similar credit scores as white people that wiped out massive amounts of wealth from the Black community in the state.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marilyn Schlossbach Jersey Shore restaurateur<\/p>\n
When I look at Jack, I have a problem with anyone lying down and aligning themselves with Trump. As a mom, as a woman, as a community leader, where do we throw our integrity out the window and our values for politics?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Rev. Charles Boyer Social justice advocate<\/p>\n
I know what racism looks like when I see it. This MAGA movement is dangerous for Black people.<\/p>\n
Whether or not the taxes are high, all of these things, very important. But what does it matter if someone opens the door to federal troops in Trenton? For my community, this is life and death. <\/p>\n
John J. Vannini Co-owner of Vannini Farms<\/p>\n
Most people in my area are rural. It\u2019s a conservative area. And so people think that Trump\u2019s going to be a positive for this area. I mean, personally, I\u2019m an independent, and I\u2019m sick and tired of the partisanship. We need a governor and leadership that\u2019s willing to reach across the aisle and get stuff accomplished.<\/p>\n
![\"Anna](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/polozzo.png\")
<\/p>\n
Anna Polozzo Former school board member<\/p>\n
Jack Ciattarelli is incredibly charismatic. But he\u2019s unable to stand up to Trump, unable to stand up for what he may perceive to be his own values or his own prior reputation as a relatively moderate Republican. And Mikie\u2019s unable to define herself either in opposition to Trump or in opposition to her own party.<\/p>\n
![\"HyunJu](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/kwak.png\")
<\/p>\n
HyunJu Kwak Asian American community advocate<\/p>\n
Attacking Trump is a stale campaign plan. He\u2019s been here for a while. We tried that in November 2024. It didn\u2019t work. So Trump being bad, reinforcing it louder doesn\u2019t make it more effective. And so I\u2019m concerned.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
R. Todd Edwards Consultant and N.A.A.C.P official<\/p>\n
In southern New Jersey we have trailer parks with all the Trump flags. So I understand the political dog whistle that Ciattarelli\u2019s doing to get elected, meaning going along with MAGA. I\u2019m hoping and I\u2019m praying that he doesn\u2019t line up the way he says with the MAGA movement.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Curtis Bashaw Hotel operator in Cape May<\/p>\n
It\u2019s important to make sure we\u2019re cleareyed about what the federal government can and can\u2019t do in our state. The White House doesn\u2019t control our property taxes. The White House doesn\u2019t choose our rules about school funding. Most of New Jersey\u2019s issues are controlled in the gold dome and by the governor, not the federal government.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Julia Sass Rubin Rutgers University professor<\/p>\n
Jack Ciattarelli, who was my assemblyman, is a nice man. But he is aligned with Trump in a very tight way, which means that all the issues, all the cuts, all the things that are happening in Washington that are going to have a big impact on the state, he effectively is agreeing to.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Amy Torres Immigration nonprofit executive<\/p>\n
We think of Arizona, Texas, Florida, California as the immigration states. You want to know the No. 2 state in recent years with the greatest percentage of immigrants relative to total population? New Jersey. Politicians are blind to diversity. And when they say people are leaving, immigrants are people, too, and have built our state.<\/p>\n
I disagree that Mikie and Jack differ that much on immigration. I think when you look at the comments that she\u2019s made to the Policemen\u2019s Benevolent Association, they\u2019re both actually on very similar sides of racial justice and policing and mass incarceration issues. I think we\u2019ll either have a Republican governor who may say yes, yes, yes to give in or to boost the president\u2019s ego. Or we may have a Democratic governor who claims opposition and says no, no, no when it comes to interviews or when it comes to ads but in the tenacity of her policies is someone I fear may be more or less aligned with the opposition.But I think both candidates think that it\u2019s too controversial a topic to be specific on. The candidate that speaks best to the humanity of the issue is Mikie Sherrill. <\/p>\n
HyunJu Kwak Asian American community advocate<\/p>\n
When it comes to immigration, Sherrill has been very soft, and she has not differentiated herself as starkly enough, as much as some of us would like.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Julia Sass Rubin Rutgers University professor<\/p>\n
Assemblyman Ciattarelli has repeatedly said that if he wins in November, his first executive order would be to end any sanctuary policies, so New Jersey law enforcement could be forced to cooperate with the Trump administration as the masked agents round up our neighbors.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
R. Todd Edwards Consultant and N.A.A.C.P official<\/p>\n
It definitely affects my area. If there\u2019s a rumor of ICE being in our county, let alone our town, the high school is damn near bare. They are scared to death to go to school, and our administrators can\u2019t say or do anything, because they understand.<\/p>\n
But I believe that Jack understands that these kids are citizens and they have the right to be here. And as for the parents of the kids, I believe Jack understands how valuable they are to our economy, especially in \u201ctrue\u201d South Jersey farmland. But he also understands the importance and the process of obtaining legal documentation to be able to work and live here. <\/p>\n
Marilyn Schlossbach Jersey Shore restaurateur<\/p>\n
This is a bipartisan issue that is a federal issue, for sure. But as you said, we have a big MAGA thing over our head.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
HyunJu Kwak Asian American community advocate<\/p>\n
The New Jersey governor is one of the most powerful in the nation, because you get to appoint the attorney general. That role isn\u2019t elected. It doesn\u2019t look like Attorney General [Matthew] Platkin will be her A.G. And as a former prosecutor, I think she should acknowledge the value of continuity in legal challenges. Platkin has won the support of a lot of the progressive flank of the Democratic Party. He has done wonders.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Rev. Charles Boyer Social justice advocate<\/p>\n
The candidates are talking a lot about a law and order agenda. Today\u2019s federal civil rights division could give a damn about Black people being abused by the police. And your only stopgap is who your attorney general is in the state.<\/p>\n
A Sherrill administration will be much better, not just for dealing with crime and public safety, but for dealing with the root causes of crime. I\u2019ve come to trust that she will be a far stronger and more thoughtful partner on the issues that matter most to Black communities. <\/p>\n
Anna Polozzo Former school board member<\/p>\n
I do not have complete confidence in Jack when it comes to education, especially around charter schools. But at the same time, Mikie hasn\u2019t bothered to come out to my community and say: Hey, you know what? This is why I\u2019m better. We\u2019ve not seen her.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Julia Sass Rubin Rutgers University professor<\/p>\n
I am very concerned about the push for vouchers to take public dollars out of our schools and put them into private and religious schools, which Assemblyman Ciattarelli supports. Representative Sherrill opposes publicly funded vouchers for private and religious education, which are devastating public schools in other states.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
R. Todd Edwards Consultant and N.A.A.C.P official<\/p>\n
We have so many openings for teachers in our district, and a lot of them are Spanish-speaking openings, because there\u2019s not enough bilingual teachers. It\u2019s an issue. I think the answer is consolidation.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Rev. Charles Boyer Social justice advocate<\/p>\n
Wealth is concentrated, and so is poverty \u2014 exacerbated in a place like Trenton. On top of that, we have a federal government that always threatens to cut funding to places like Trenton if we dare say \u201cBlack\u201d in the classroom. So I just wanted to put that on the table.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Curtis Bashaw Hotel operator in Cape May<\/p>\n
I run hotels, and I don\u2019t spend my time lobbying the town not to allow any more hotels. I focus on how to make my hotel better. Jack\u2019s view of that kind of competition could help our public schools.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
R. Todd Edwards Consultant and N.A.A.C.P official<\/p>\n
I believe Jack\u2019s business background and ability to build relationships with everyone puts him ahead of Mikie with being able to lead our state in the right direction financially.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Julia Sass Rubin Rutgers University professor<\/p>\n
Jack\u2019s said that he\u2019s going to cut the state budget by 30 percent. Our 2026 state budget is $58.8 billion. That\u2019s almost $18 billion. You can\u2019t cut 30 percent.<\/p>\n
To reduce spending by 30 percent, you would probably need to cut school funding, cut municipal aid, cut pension contributions or cut a whole bunch of programs to help those most in need with medicine and food and housing. At a time when the federal government is cutting funding for health care, education, food stamps, housing and so much more, the state needs to step up to protect N.J. residents, not cut further. <\/p>\n
Curtis Bashaw Hotel operator in Cape May<\/p>\n
Does that mean we shouldn\u2019t try?<\/p>\n
New Jersey governor is one of the hardest jobs coming into the fiscal situation that our state faces. And you want a leader that can actually go into a room and figure it out. I don\u2019t think she\u2019s qualified to do that.I trust a businessperson because I am one. My team will say: Oh, well, we can\u2019t cut expenses without cutting services. Businesses do this all the time. It\u2019s a straw man to pretend like the expenses are fixed. We are going to be broke as a state if we don\u2019t make changes. And of the two choices out there, Jack is a voice of change, common sense, and not more of the same. <\/p>\n
Amy Torres Immigration nonprofit executive<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s two things that I\u2019ve heard today that I want to hold together. One is that Jack is a champion for change, but I\u2019ve also heard that he\u2019s not pushing back enough against the Trump administration. I can\u2019t reconcile it. I can\u2019t reconcile how Jack can be for change if he says that he wants to set up a New Jersey DOGE the same way the federal government did. And we\u2019ve seen how that\u2019s fallen apart.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Curtis Bashaw Hotel operator in Cape May<\/p>\n
Some of us might be tempted to use our vote to make a national statement to repudiate Trump. And I don\u2019t know if that\u2019s the right use of my vote, because I really believe that New Jersey is at an edge where we have to start to make solutions, because the spigot\u2019s opening and people are leaving.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
R. Todd Edwards Consultant and N.A.A.C.P official<\/p>\n
Jack traveled the entire state numerous times, building true relationships and partnerships. He has shown South Jersey real attention during his campaign trail. I feel that he did not take us, a smaller voting bloc, for granted like Mikie did. She stayed where the masses are: northern New Jersey.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Anna Polozzo Former school board member<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t tell me who you are and what you\u2019re going to do for me. Show me. Jack has shown me that he is a moderate over a period of years. He\u2019s a Jersey guy, and he\u2019s been out in the community. He\u2019s been there long before this race. And Mikie doesn\u2019t vote. It\u2019s so important that you vote on the things that are put in front of you.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Arianna L. Czaplicki Student and chair of the Hudson County Young Republicans<\/p>\n
Ciattarelli has been a business owner. I live in Jersey City, so I see people every single day starting their own businesses, figuring things out. And you can just tell from the way that he speaks and the way that he\u2019s willing to fight for what we need.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
HyunJu Kwak Asian American community advocate<\/p>\n
From the progressive perspective, we will support her, but we\u2019re asking for policy actions and to match the person to your slogan. You\u2019re going to be a fighter. This is the time to fight.<\/p>\n
I go back to the two-thirds who didn\u2019t vote for her in the primary. The hope was: You don\u2019t have a mandate, so don\u2019t take the rest for granted. Listen, engage, and maybe offer some policy pivots. <\/p>\n
Greg Lalevee Engineers union executive<\/p>\n
I think you\u2019re missing two things there, though. She has missed so many of her votes<\/a> in the last few months. So who the heck is she is a legit question. When she\u2019s made public appearances to the business community, who invite both candidates in, to the building trades at our convention, she walks in with a script. I just think she can\u2019t define herself.<\/p>\n Amy Torres Immigration nonprofit executive<\/p>\n Yes, I don\u2019t disagree with her inability to seem authentic.<\/p>\n Arianna L. Czaplicki Student and chair of the Hudson County Young Republicans<\/p>\n Yep.<\/p>\n John J. Vannini Co-owner of Vannini Farms<\/p>\n I don\u2019t want to see each candidate just rubber-stamping their party. I\u2019d like to see a little bit more governing, what they\u2019re willing to do to govern for the state and for both sides.<\/p>\n Mr. Ciattarelli, he\u2019s got a good plan, and it\u2019s more detailed. Mikie Sherrill, it\u2019s very vague and a lot of clich\u00e9s. I try to give her a fair shake and go on her website and get some information. And I just really \u2014 I\u2019m still left a little, I guess, confused. The Rev. Charles Boyer Social justice advocate<\/p>\n I know who Sherrill is surrounding herself with. I know her policy people. All of their policies align with the policies that we advocate for. But she also needs to be stronger.<\/p>\n Greg Lalevee Engineers union executive<\/p>\n No matter who wins this thing, you\u2019ve got to make the trains run. And Mr. Ciattarelli has a thorough understanding. And it shows when he comes out and speaks to people and has very specific policies. And I\u2019m very concerned that [Sherrill] wins the election and becomes the dog who caught the mail truck and has no idea what\u2019s going to happen next.<\/p>\n Marilyn Schlossbach Jersey Shore restaurateur<\/p>\n As a small business owner, I value leaders who understand real world challenges and focus on results, not rhetoric. During the Covid period, Mikie Sherrill publicly supported relief measures. In 2021 she voted in favor of the American Rescue Plan Act, which included funding to aid small businesses, among other relief. She brings discipline, integrity and the ability to lead under pressure.<\/p>\n Curtis Bashaw Hotel operator in Cape May<\/p>\n I\u2019m 100 percent Jack. Jack is driving on the ground. He\u2019s not taking a 30,000-foot view. He can articulate his policies. Mikie is hard to get answers from.<\/p>\n Julia Sass Rubin Rutgers University professor<\/p>\n As President Biden likes to say, \u201cDon\u2019t compare me to the almighty. Compare me to the alternative.\u201d So I have contrasted Sherrill\u2019s positions with those of Ciattarelli. After all, an election is a choice, and there isn\u2019t a single issue on which I prefer Assemblyman Ciattarelli\u2019s proposals to Representative Sherrill\u2019s.<\/p>\n About our panel These 11 voters assessed the candidates independently, as individual voters, not on behalf of their organizations. Some panelists made donations to candidates; that information is disclosed in their biographies.<\/p>\n Greg Lalevee is a business manager and an executive board member at the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825, a labor union of about 8,000 machine operators, mechanics and surveyors in New Jersey and New York\u2019s Hudson Valley region. He previously worked as a crane operator in Secaucus. He has served on the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority since 2010 and was previously vice chair.<\/p>\n Julia Sass Rubin is a professor at the School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. She served as an expert witness in a lawsuit that changed the primary ballot system, which previously was controlled by a small group of county chairs. She advised the Small Business Administration and the New Jersey Redevelopment Authority and is also a co-founder of Save Our Schools N.J., an education group.<\/p>\n Anna Polozzo is a former member of the Toms River Regional Schools Board of Education who represented the Borough of South Toms River from 2019 to 2024. She advocated better funding for schools and making kindergarten education mandatory and accessible. Both of her daughters graduated from public schools in the district.<\/p>\n HyunJu Kwak is a former member of the Ridgewood Board of Education, where she helped navigate contracts with the teachers\u2019 union and reopening schools during the pandemic. She has worked in management consulting, media and financial services. She also co-founded the Ridgewood Lunar Festival and the Ridgewood Asian American Pacific Islander Alliance.<\/p>\n R. Todd Edwards is an independent consultant and the political action chairman of New Jersey\u2019s N.A.A.C.P. State Conference who works with elected officials in the state to advance legislation around racial justice and equity. He served two terms as the president of the Bridgeton Board of Education and is a former Democratic chair of the city\u2019s Democratic Party. He was born and raised in South Jersey, where his family owns a funeral home. In 2006 he ran unsuccessfully for a seat in Bridgeton\u2019s City Council.<\/p>\n He contributed $500 to Jack Ciattarelli\u2019s campaign. Marilyn Schlossbach is a restaurateur, a chef, a cookbook author and the founder of Food for Thought by the Sea, a nonprofit that supports Monmouth County\u2019s youth population. She has founded multiple restaurants in Asbury Park on the Jersey Shore. She is a former chair of the New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association. A Jersey Shore native, she also partners with and raises money for environmental organizations dedicated to the protection of marine environments.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n