Obama stumps for Sherrill in N.J., calls Ciattarelli a 'suck-up' to Trump amid tight governor race

Source: NJ.com

Updated: Nov. 02, 2025, 12:58 a.m.|Published: Nov. 01, 2025, 8:21 p.m.


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.

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.

Read more: https://www.nj.com/politics/2025/11/obama-stumps-for-sherrill-in-nj-calls-ciattarelli-a-suck-up-to-trump-amid-tight-governor-race.html