The battle is drawing national attention because New Jersey is one of only two states this year — along with Virginia — holding gubernatorial elections in 2025. And they’re the first big races after President Donald Trump returned to office this year, making it an early barometer for what the public thinks of his controversial new administration.

Republican Jack Ciattarelli is leaning on his endorsement from President Donald Trump to win next month's GOP primary for governor in New Jersey, pledging support for the president and saying during a debate Tuesday that he would not challenge Trump's executive orders in court.

Eleven candidates are running to replace the term-limited Phil Murphy as governor of New Jersey. The Garden State is one of only two gubernatorial races happening in 2025, and the off-year election will be many New Jerseyans' first chance to vote since the contentious 2024 presidential race.