Murphy calls N.J. governor’s race “really close,” urges residents to vote early, praises Mikie Sherrill

1TRENTON, N.J. — Gov. Phil Murphy said the New Jersey governor’s race remains “really close,” describing it as part of a broader trend of political division nationwide.

Speaking on Ask Governor Murphy , he noted that former President Donald Trump had narrowed his loss margin in several Democratic states — including New Jersey, Maryland, New York, Illinois, and California — during the 2024 election cycle.

“I’d rather be playing Mikey’s hand than Jack’s hand, but this is a really close race,” Murphy said, referring to Democratic candidate Rep. Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli. “We’re so divided, so sort of on the knife’s edge — a little bit this way, a little bit that way.”

Murphy said the competitiveness reflects polarization across the country, emphasizing that gubernat