Let me tell you something, folks. New Jersey is standing at the edge of a political cliff that would make even Wile E. Coyote nervous. The 2025 gubernatorial election isn’t just another race—it’s a goddamn existential crossroads for the state’s future. You think the violence in the final Sopranos episode was bad? Wait until you see what happens when Democrats cannibalize themselves in a six-way primary bloodbath. The Democratic team facing the Trump agenda in November 2025 must be united with a combined primary turnout of more than 50%.
The Trump tsunami that nearly washed over New Jersey in 2024 wasn’t a fluke—it was a warning shot across the Garden State bow.
The formerly reliable Democratic stronghold margins saw more shrinkage than George Costanza in ice cold water. And Trump made history by winning the majority of New Jersey counties for the first time since 1992, recapturing Gloucester and Morris counties while becoming the first Republican to win Passaic County since 1992 and Atlantic and Cumberland counties since 1988. The Democratic margin shrunk to a measly 5.91%, the closest any Republican has come to winning the state in over 30 years.
Governor Murphy’s own reelection in 2021 came by less than 5%, down from his 14.1-point victory in 2017. Gadzooks, people! Do we need to spell it out with refrigerator magnets? New Jersey is trending in a dangerous purple direction, and another four years of Murphy’s leadership hasn’t reversed the tide.
The Primary Problem: Too Many Cooks in a Kitchen From Hell
With the elimination of the “county line” system—which previously acted like the Harry Potter Sorting Hat for Democratic candidates—we’ve got a free-for-all that would even make Rocky Balboa throw in his towel. Six major contenders—Ras Baraka, Steve Fulop, Josh Gottheimer, Mikie Sherrill, Sean Spiller, and Stephen Sweeney—all have what Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Dan Cassino calls “plausible paths forward.”
Look, I’m all for democracy, but when your primary winner might secure the Democratic Party gubernatorial nomination with as little as 25-30% of the vote, that’s not a mandate—that’s barely a little league participation trophy! How does a candidate that possibly three-quarters of Democratic primary voters rejected —-pivot to unite the party? It’s like trying to convince everyone at a vegan potluck to suddenly embrace your mystery meat casserole.
The JFK-LBJ Solution: When Enemies Became Frenemies
Now, I want you to imagine it’s 1960. Kennedy and Johnson emerged from their hard-fought primary like two drenched cats thrown in a small canvas bag. These guys HATED each other. Their rivalry was like Batman and Joker, but with better suits and thicker accents. Kennedy ultimately secured the nomination, but Johnson still commanded outstanding support from Southern Democrats.
What happened next? Instead of continuing their pissing contest, Kennedy made the politically pragmatic decision to offer Johnson the vice-presidential slot. He didn’t do this because he suddenly developed the warm fuzzies feeling for LBJ. He did it because he wasn’t a COMPLETE IDIOT who would rather lose an election than work with someone he despised.
The result? A unified ticket that narrowly defeated Richard Nixon and the conservative GOP, and probably changed the course of American history. Sometimes the most important political decisions aren’t the ones that feel good—they’re the ones that prevent disaster. New Jersey’s Democrats need to learn from that political lesson.
The Trump Threat to NJ: The Moderate GOP Who Fear Donald
The Republican field includes
- Jack Ciattarelli, who came THISCLOSE to defeating Murphy in 2021.
- Sen. Jon Bramnick, who himself is a moderate and critical thinking Republican.
- And Bill Spadea—extreme rightwing talk show host—who is inspired by Trump.
I have disagreed with the GOP candidates on a range of issues, but at least Ciattarelli and Bramnick have not been Trump ideologues or bullies weaponizing the government. Unlike Spadea who has followed the Trump trail and promised a NJ DOGE if elected. Although Spadea still has a very narrow path to victory in the next two months, right now he’s plateaued as his polling numbers have not moved up at all since January.
Sure, most Republicans have records as reasonable public servants. But once they’re in office? The national Trump Republican Bully machine will descend on Trenton like Darth Vader and the Galactic Empire. Local autonomy? Gone. Moderate instincts? Overridden. New Jersey’s GOP common sense traditions? As destroyed as the Death Star at the end of Star Wars.
The Path Forward: A Unified Ticket That Actually Makes Sense
So what’s the solution here? It’s simpler than the repeated plot of Fast and Furious 17 (or whatever number they’re on now): the top two Democratic primary finishers must check their egos at the door and commit to form a governor/lieutenant governor ticket.
This isn’t just some kumbaya nonsense—it’s political geometry that actually works. It’s th only way the Democrats can poll over 50% after a divisive primary.
First, it creates broader appeal. Combining candidates with different supporters is like merging the Avengers and Justice League—suddenly you’ve got a coalition that can appeal to everyone from coastal elites to suburban soccer moms.
Second, it provides regional balance. With candidates representing different parts of the state—urban centers and leafy suburbs—a combined ticket addresses regional concerns more effectively than a candidate who only knows one part of the state. It’s the difference between having a GPS that covers the whole state versus one that only works in Newark.
Third, it bridges ideological divides. Bringing together candidates from different wings of the party—progressive and moderate—means you can present a unified Democratic vision without looking like you’re trying to please everyone like a desperate middle schooler running for class president.
Finally, it consolidates resources. Instead of depleting money in continued intra-party battles (which, by the way, is exactly what Republicans WANT), a united ticket can immediately redirect fundraising toward defeating the real enemy. It’s like when the Rebellion and the Empire had to team up against the Yuuzhan Vong in Star Wars—except this actually makes sense.
The Bottom Line: Put Up or Shut Up
New Jersey Democrats, listen carefully: this isn’t a rehearsal. You’re not auditioning for “Politicians Got Talent.” This is the real deal, and the consequences of failure will echo for years.
If you emerge from this primary with a nominee supported by only a quarter of voters, congratulations—you’ve just handed the Republicans their playbook for victory. “Look at this joker,” they’ll say. “Three-quarters of their own party didn’t even want them!”
Personal ambitions need to take a backseat here. Kennedy and Johnson managed to work together despite loathing each other, and they were fighting over the presidency of the United States, not just the governorship of New Jersey. If they could do it, surely today’s candidates can muster the same level of political maturity.
The primary campaign should be vigorous—that’s democracy. But it must conclude with a commitment to unity that places New Jersey’s future above individual political aspirations. Because if Democrats lose this election, they won’t just be losing a governorship. They’ll be losing the soul of a state that has stood as a bulwark against the worst excesses of Trumpism.
And frankly, that’s a plot twist New Jersey can’t afford.
As the Democratic primary in New Jersey heats up, it is crucial for the top two finishers to come together and collaborate in order to defeat the Trump agenda in the upcoming general election. With the stakes higher than ever, it is imperative that Democrats unite in order to secure a victory and push back against the harmful policies of the current administration.
The importance of collaboration between the top two Democratic primary finishers cannot be overstated. By working together, these candidates can combine their strengths and resources to create a formidable opposition to the Trump agenda. This collaboration will not only benefit their own campaigns, but also the Democratic party as a whole.
One of the key reasons why collaboration is so important is because it allows for a more unified message to be presented to voters. By working together, the top two finishers can ensure that their platforms align and that they are presenting a cohesive vision for the future of New Jersey. This will help to avoid confusion among voters and make it easier for them to understand what the Democratic party stands for.
Additionally, collaboration between the top two finishers can help to mobilize more support for their campaigns. By joining forces, these candidates can tap into each other’s networks and resources, allowing them to reach a wider audience and attract more volunteers and donors. This increased support will be crucial in the general election, where every vote will count.
Furthermore, collaboration between the top two finishers can help to energize the Democratic base in New Jersey. By coming together and demonstrating a united front against the Trump agenda, these candidates can inspire voters to get out and vote in November. This enthusiasm and energy will be essential in driving turnout and securing a victory for the Democratic party.
In conclusion, the importance of collaboration between the top two Democratic primary finishers in New Jersey cannot be overstated. By working together, these candidates can present a unified message, mobilize more support, and energize the Democratic base. In doing so, they will be better positioned to defeat the Trump agenda and secure a victory in the upcoming general election. It is crucial that these candidates put aside their differences and come together for the greater good of the party and the state of New Jersey.
