NJ Governor Race: Jack Ciattarelli Gains Ground as Democrats Defend Plastic Bag Ban

The polls of the race for New Jersey governor are tighter today than they’ve been all cycle — far tighter than they ever were in 2021, when the current GOP nominee for governor, Jack Ciattarelli, outperformed his RealClearPolitics average by a full five points.

Unlike in 2021, there is a Republican in the White House. Donald Trump’s omnipresence fires up Democratic voters and blows headwinds in the face of any Republican seeking statewide office in a dark blue state like New Jersey. But there are conditions at work in Ciattarelli’s favor, too.

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.

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The polls of the race for New Jersey governor are tighter today than they’ve been all cycle — far tighter than they ever were in 2021, when the current GOP nominee for governor, Jack Ciattarelli, outperformed his RealClearPolitics average by a full five points.

Unlike in 2021, there is a Republican in the White House. Donald Trump’s omnipresence fires up Democratic voters and blows headwinds in the face of any Republican seeking statewide office in a dark blue state like New Jersey. But there are conditions at work in Ciattarelli’s favor, too.

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.