List: Republican candidates for NJ governor
Race for NJ governor: Meet the candidates
Meet the candidates running for New Jersey's coveted governor's seat in the upcoming primary election. NJ Now talks to Democratic frontrunner Rep. Mikie Sherrill, the Trump-endorsed Jack Ciattarelli and more.
NEW JERSEY - Nearly a dozen candidates are competing in New Jersey for the chance to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy.
- MORE: Who is ahead in the NJ governor race? Polls, candidates, updates
- MORE: How to vote in New Jersey
In the Republican primary, former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli has President Donald Trump's endorsement.
NJ governor primary: Who are the candidates?
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Republican candidates
NJ Republican governor candidates
Former state assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli
Ciattarelli, a Somerville native and business founder, is making another run for New Jersey governor. This time, he has the backing of President Trump.
Jack Ciattarelli: Meet the candidates for NJ governor
New Jersey Now sits down with Republican gubernatorial candidate and former state representative Jack Ciattarelli. Endorsed by President Trump, Ciattarelli shares his stance on tariffs, property taxes, NJ Transit and ICE raids in the state.
Ciattarelli nearly unseated Murphy back in 2021 and finished second in the 2017 GOP primary. This time, he says he is focused on tackling New Jersey’s affordability crisis, citing rising taxes, tolls, and fees.
Conservative talk radio host Bill Spadea
ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 17: Bill Spadea performs onstage during "An Evening of Comedy Starring Joe Gorga" at Harrah's Resort on August 17, 2024 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Manny Carabel/Getty Images)
Spadea is an entrepreneur and host of the Bill Spadea Show on NJ101.5 FM.
Bill Spadea: Meet the candidates for NJ governor
New Jersey Now sits down with Republican gubernatorial candidate and conservative talk radio host Bill Spadea, who discusses his views on Trump’s use of executive orders, immigration policies, affordability and cost of living issues, along with his relationship with the president.
Spadea says he's focused on New Jersey’s budget and ending the illegal immigration crisis, which he claims costs taxpayers too much.
State Senator Jon Bramnick
Bramnick says he wants to create a government efficiency panel with private residents and business leaders to identify waste and areas for improvement.
He's been in the State Senate since 2022 and was an Assemblyman for nearly two decades prior from 2003-2021.
Jon Bramnick: Meet the candidates for NJ governor
New Jersey Now sits down with Republican gubernatorial candidate and state senator Jon Bramnick, who has previously criticized President Trump. He shares his views on affordability and property taxes in New Jersey, criticizing the previous Democratic administration for spending money on projects that didn't benefit taxpayers.
Former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac
Kranjac is the former mayor of Englewood Cliffs, serving from 2016 to 2024. He calls himself a political outsider determined to change Trenton. Since leaving office, he has continued as a corporate attorney and venture capitalist.
Real estate developer Justin Barbera
Credit: Ballotpedia.
Barbera is a contractor and real estate developer from Burlington County. A Marlton native, Barbera’s career includes work as a general contractor, insurance claim mitigator, freight carrier, and owner-operator of a CDL A flatbed and commercial snow service operation.
NJ primary 2025 date
Primary election day is Tuesday, June 10. Polls close at 8 p.m.
Where to vote NJ primary
Click HERE for more information.
NJ Republican primary polls
- Emerson College Polling/PIX11/The Hill survey: According to a May survey, 44% of registered New Jersey Republican voters said they would vote for former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, while 18% support talk radio host Bill Spadea. A month ahead of the primary, 23% of GOP voters said they were undecided.
- SurveyUSA: The poll conducted in May only asked voters about Ciattarelli, who "has favorability ratings of 40%-36% among the broader electorate and 63%-19% among Trump voters," accordin gto the New Jersey Globe.
- Trump endorsement: President Trump has endorsed Ciattarelli in May and campaigned for him in a virtual rally.