Opinion | New Jersey Governor Candidates: Who Would Be Best?

Curtis Bashaw Hotel operator in Cape May

The most important challenge dealing with our state is affordability. Democrats, Republicans, independents, males, ladies, younger, outdated: Persons are afraid that their children and their grandkids can’t construct a life in our state. I do know lots of people which might be transferring to Florida and Arizona and different states. Lots of our faculty and highschool graduates are leaving — so many individuals — and taking their cash with them.

Arianna L. Czaplicki Student and chair of the Hudson County Young Republicans

I’m in faculty and I’m personally scared I gained’t have the ability to purchase a home, have the ability to pay for fundamental requirements and plan my life sufficient to the place I gained’t should be working till I’m like 70. It’s a very massive worry, not only for me, however with lots of people my age.

Julia Sass Rubin Rutgers University professor

I don’t imagine both candidate has a magic tablet for affordability. Their proposed options, nonetheless, can both enhance or worsen the scenario. Sherrill is proposing a variety of choices to extend transparency, which is a good suggestion in a state dominated by political machines. Ciattarelli is promising to create an N.J. DOGE, modeled on the disastrous division that has decimated vital federal capabilities below the Trump administration.

Greg Lalevee Engineers union executive

Your normal blue-collar employee, our individuals, works paycheck to paycheck. Affordability, in my opinion, comes down to a few buckets. There was an power drawback, after we noticed our power costs spike. There’s a housing challenge. And there’s a college funding drawback. The individuals in Trenton aren’t fixing it.

Jack did serve within the Meeting, is aware of how the method works, is aware of how the sausage is made, if you’ll. And I feel that’s a power, no matter get together affiliation.

Amy Torres Immigration nonprofit executive

We’ve an affordability disaster in New Jersey as a result of our leaders have a damaged love affair with company affect.

John J. Vannini Co-owner of Vannini Farms

Affordability is an issue all over the place for everyone. It is available in many various methods. Regulation is a part of it. It retains getting worse and worse. Quite a lot of the small or medium-size farms are packing up and promoting their land as a result of they’ll’t afford to take care of the regulation.

R. Todd Edwards Consultant and N.A.A.C.P official

Transportation in South Jersey can be a serious challenge for us down there. Individuals should take the bus line, and there’s no actual hub of trains or subway techniques such as you guys have right here within the north. There’s none of that for us within the south.

Marilyn Schlossbach Jersey Shore restaurateur

No option to get right here nor there.

The Rev. Charles Boyer Social justice advocate

For the Black neighborhood, it’s extra exacerbated due to the racial wealth hole. Inexpensive housing is a serious challenge, particularly given the historical past of very, very focused predatory lending to Black individuals with related credit score scores as white those who worn out large quantities of wealth from the Black neighborhood within the state.

Marilyn Schlossbach Jersey Shore restaurateur

Once I have a look at Jack, I’ve an issue with anybody mendacity down and aligning themselves with Trump. As a mother, as a lady, as a neighborhood chief, the place can we throw our integrity out the window and our values for politics?

The Rev. Charles Boyer Social justice advocate

I do know what racism appears like after I see it. This MAGA motion is harmful for Black individuals.

Whether or not or not the taxes are excessive, all of these items, crucial. However what does it matter if somebody opens the door to federal troops in Trenton? For my neighborhood, that is life and demise.

John J. Vannini Co-owner of Vannini Farms

Most individuals in my space are rural. It’s a conservative space. And so individuals assume that Trump’s going to be a optimistic for this space. I imply, personally, I’m an impartial, and I’m sick and uninterested in the partisanship. We want a governor and management that’s prepared to achieve throughout the aisle and get stuff completed.

Anna Polozzo Former school board member

Jack Ciattarelli is extremely charismatic. However he’s unable to face as much as Trump, unable to face up for what he could understand to be his personal values or his personal prior fame as a comparatively reasonable Republican. And Mikie’s unable to outline herself both in opposition to Trump or in opposition to her personal get together.

HyunJu Kwak Asian American community advocate

Attacking Trump is a stale marketing campaign plan. He’s been right here for some time. We tried that in November 2024. It didn’t work. So Trump being unhealthy, reinforcing it louder doesn’t make it more practical. And so I’m involved.

R. Todd Edwards Consultant and N.A.A.C.P official

In southern New Jersey we now have trailer parks with all of the Trump flags. So I perceive the political canine whistle that Ciattarelli’s doing to get elected, which means going together with MAGA. I’m hoping and I’m praying that he doesn’t line up the way in which he says with the MAGA motion.

Curtis Bashaw Hotel operator in Cape May

It’s vital to verify we’re cleareyed about what the federal authorities can and may’t do in our state. The White Home doesn’t management our property taxes. The White Home doesn’t select our guidelines about college funding. Most of New Jersey’s points are managed within the gold dome and by the governor, not the federal authorities.

Julia Sass Rubin Rutgers University professor

Jack Ciattarelli, who was my assemblyman, is a pleasant man. However he’s aligned with Trump in a really tight manner, which implies that all the problems, all of the cuts, all of the issues which might be occurring in Washington which might be going to have a huge impact on the state, he successfully is agreeing to.

Amy Torres Immigration nonprofit executive

We consider Arizona, Texas, Florida, California because the immigration states. You need to know the No. 2 state in recent times with the best share of immigrants relative to whole inhabitants? New Jersey. Politicians are blind to range. And once they say individuals are leaving, immigrants are individuals, too, and have constructed our state.

I disagree that Mikie and Jack differ that a lot on immigration. I feel whenever you have a look at the feedback that she’s made to the Policemen’s Benevolent Affiliation, they’re each really on very related sides of racial justice and policing and mass incarceration points. I feel we’ll both have a Republican governor who could say sure, sure, sure to offer in or to spice up the president’s ego. Or we could have a Democratic governor who claims opposition and says no, no, no in relation to interviews or in relation to advertisements however within the tenacity of her insurance policies is somebody I worry could also be roughly aligned with the opposition.However I feel each candidates assume that it’s too controversial a subject to be particular on. The candidate that speaks greatest to the humanity of the problem is Mikie Sherrill.

HyunJu Kwak Asian American community advocate

On the subject of immigration, Sherrill has been very mushy, and she or he has not differentiated herself as starkly sufficient, as a lot as a few of us would really like.

Julia Sass Rubin Rutgers University professor

Assemblyman Ciattarelli has repeatedly mentioned that if he wins in November, his first government order can be to finish any sanctuary insurance policies, so New Jersey legislation enforcement could possibly be compelled to cooperate with the Trump administration because the masked brokers spherical up our neighbors.

R. Todd Edwards Consultant and N.A.A.C.P official

It undoubtedly impacts my space. If there’s a rumor of ICE being in our county, not to mention our city, the highschool is rattling close to naked. They’re scared to demise to go to high school, and our directors can’t say or do something, as a result of they perceive.

However I imagine that Jack understands that these children are residents and so they have the best to be right here. And as for the mother and father of the children, I imagine Jack understands how helpful they’re to our economic system, particularly in “true” South Jersey farmland. However he additionally understands the significance and the method of acquiring authorized documentation to have the ability to work and reside right here.

Marilyn Schlossbach Jersey Shore restaurateur

It is a bipartisan challenge that may be a federal challenge, for positive. However as you mentioned, we now have an enormous MAGA factor over our head.

HyunJu Kwak Asian American community advocate

The New Jersey governor is without doubt one of the strongest within the nation, since you get to nominate the lawyer normal. That position isn’t elected. It doesn’t appear like Lawyer Common [Matthew] Platkin shall be her A.G. And as a former prosecutor, I feel she ought to acknowledge the worth of continuity in authorized challenges. Platkin has gained the assist of lots of the progressive flank of the Democratic Get together. He has carried out wonders.

The Rev. Charles Boyer Social justice advocate

The candidates are speaking quite a bit a couple of legislation and order agenda. At this time’s federal civil rights division might give a rattling about Black individuals being abused by the police. And your solely stopgap is who your lawyer normal is within the state.

A Sherrill administration shall be significantly better, not only for coping with crime and public security, however for coping with the basis causes of crime. I’ve come to belief that she shall be a far stronger and extra considerate accomplice on the problems that matter most to Black communities.

Anna Polozzo Former school board member

I would not have full confidence in Jack in relation to training, particularly round constitution faculties. However on the similar time, Mikie hasn’t bothered to return out to my neighborhood and say: Hey, what? Because of this I’m higher. We’ve not seen her.

Julia Sass Rubin Rutgers University professor

I’m very involved in regards to the push for vouchers to take public {dollars} out of our faculties and put them into non-public and non secular faculties, which Assemblyman Ciattarelli helps. Consultant Sherrill opposes publicly funded vouchers for personal and non secular training, that are devastating public faculties in different states.

R. Todd Edwards Consultant and N.A.A.C.P official

We’ve so many openings for lecturers in our district, and lots of them are Spanish-speaking openings, as a result of there’s not sufficient bilingual lecturers. It’s a problem. I feel the reply is consolidation.

The Rev. Charles Boyer Social justice advocate

Wealth is concentrated, and so is poverty — exacerbated in a spot like Trenton. On high of that, we now have a federal authorities that all the time threatens to chop funding to locations like Trenton if we dare say “Black” within the classroom. So I simply wished to place that on the desk.

Curtis Bashaw Hotel operator in Cape May

I run motels, and I don’t spend my time lobbying the city to not enable any extra motels. I give attention to learn how to make my resort higher. Jack’s view of that type of competitors might assist our public faculties.

R. Todd Edwards Consultant and N.A.A.C.P official

I imagine Jack’s enterprise background and skill to construct relationships with everybody places him forward of Mikie with having the ability to lead our state in the best route financially.

Julia Sass Rubin Rutgers University professor

Assemblyman Ciattarelli has mentioned that he’s going to chop the state finances by 30 %. Our 2026 state finances is $58.8 billion. That’s virtually $18 billion. You possibly can’t lower 30 %.

To scale back spending by 30 %, you would wish to chop college funding, lower municipal assist, lower pension contributions or lower an entire bunch of applications to assist these most in want with medication and meals and housing. At a time when the federal authorities is chopping funding for well being care, training, meals stamps, housing and a lot extra, the state must step as much as shield N.J. residents, not lower additional.

Curtis Bashaw Hotel operator in Cape May

Does that imply we shouldn’t attempt?

New Jersey governor is without doubt one of the hardest jobs coming into the fiscal scenario that our state faces. And also you need a chief that may really go right into a room and determine it out. I don’t assume she’s certified to try this.I belief a businessperson as a result of I’m one. My crew will say: Oh, effectively, we are able to’t lower bills with out chopping companies. Companies do that on a regular basis. It’s a straw man to fake just like the bills are fastened. We’re going to be broke as a state if we don’t make modifications. And of the 2 selections on the market, Jack is a voice of change, widespread sense, and no more of the identical.

Amy Torres Immigration nonprofit executive

Right here’s two issues that I’ve heard as we speak that I need to maintain collectively. One is that Jack is a champion for change, however I’ve additionally heard that he’s not pushing again sufficient towards the Trump administration. I can’t reconcile it. I can’t reconcile how Jack will be for change if he says that he needs to arrange a New Jersey DOGE the identical manner the federal authorities did. And we’ve seen how that’s fallen aside.

Curtis Bashaw Hotel operator in Cape May

A few of us is likely to be tempted to make use of our vote to make a nationwide assertion to repudiate Trump. And I don’t know if that’s the best use of my vote, as a result of I actually imagine that New Jersey is at an edge the place we now have to begin to make options, as a result of the spigot’s opening and individuals are leaving.

R. Todd Edwards Consultant and N.A.A.C.P official

Jack traveled the complete state quite a few occasions, constructing true relationships and partnerships. He has proven South Jersey actual consideration throughout his marketing campaign path. I really feel that he didn’t take us, a smaller voting bloc, with no consideration like Mikie did. She stayed the place the lots are: northern New Jersey.

Anna Polozzo Former school board member

Don’t inform me who you might be and what you’re going to do for me. Present me. Jack has proven me that he’s a reasonable over a interval of years. He’s a Jersey man, and he’s been out in the neighborhood. He’s been there lengthy earlier than this race. And Mikie doesn’t vote. It’s so vital that you just vote on the issues which might be put in entrance of you.

Arianna L. Czaplicki Student and chair of the Hudson County Young Republicans

Ciattarelli has been a enterprise proprietor. I reside in Jersey Metropolis, so I see individuals each single day beginning their very own companies, figuring issues out. And you’ll simply inform from the way in which that he speaks and the way in which that he’s prepared to battle for what we’d like.

HyunJu Kwak Asian American community advocate

From the progressive perspective, we’ll assist her, however we’re asking for coverage actions and to match the particular person to your slogan. You’re going to be a fighter. That is the time to battle.

I’m going again to the two-thirds who didn’t vote for her within the major. The hope was: You don’t have a mandate, so don’t take the remaining with no consideration. Hear, interact, and perhaps supply some coverage pivots.

Greg Lalevee Engineers union executive

I feel you’re lacking two issues there, although. She has missed so lots of her votes in the previous few months. So who the heck is she is a legit query. When she’s made public appearances to the enterprise neighborhood, who invite each candidates in, to the constructing trades at our conference, she walks in with a script. I simply assume she will’t outline herself.

Amy Torres Immigration nonprofit executive

Sure, I don’t disagree together with her lack of ability to look genuine.

Arianna L. Czaplicki Student and chair of the Hudson County Young Republicans

Yep.

John J. Vannini Co-owner of Vannini Farms

I don’t need to see every candidate simply rubber-stamping their get together. I’d wish to see somewhat bit extra governing, what they’re prepared to do to manipulate for the state and for each side.

Mr. Ciattarelli, he’s acquired a superb plan, and it’s extra detailed. Mikie Sherrill, it’s very obscure and lots of clichés. I attempt to give her a good shake and go on her web site and get some info. And I simply actually — I’m nonetheless left somewhat, I assume, confused.

The Rev. Charles Boyer Social justice advocate

I do know who Sherrill is surrounding herself with. I do know her coverage individuals. All of their insurance policies align with the insurance policies that we advocate for. However she additionally must be stronger.

Greg Lalevee Engineers union executive

Irrespective of who wins this factor, you’ve acquired to make the trains run. And Mr. Ciattarelli has an intensive understanding. And it reveals when he comes out and speaks to individuals and has very particular insurance policies. And I’m very involved that [Sherrill] wins the election and turns into the canine who caught the mail truck and has no concept what’s going to occur subsequent.

Marilyn Schlossbach Jersey Shore restaurateur

As a small enterprise proprietor, I worth leaders who perceive actual world challenges and give attention to outcomes, not rhetoric. Throughout the Covid interval, Mikie Sherrill publicly supported reduction measures. In 2021 she voted in favor of the American Rescue Plan Act, which included funding to help small companies, amongst different reduction. She brings self-discipline, integrity and the flexibility to steer below stress.

Curtis Bashaw Hotel operator in Cape May

I’m one hundred pc Jack. Jack is driving on the bottom. He’s not taking a 30,000-foot view. He can articulate his insurance policies. Mikie is tough to get solutions from.

Julia Sass Rubin Rutgers University professor

As President Biden likes to say, “Don’t examine me to the almighty. Evaluate me to the choice.” So I’ve contrasted Sherrill’s positions with these of Ciattarelli. In spite of everything, an election is a alternative, and there isn’t a single challenge on which I choose Assemblyman Ciattarelli’s proposals to Consultant Sherrill’s.