TRENTON – They say the fly on the wall in here might deserve a spot on the power list in New Jersey politics, especially in a gubernatorial election year.
Steve Fulop will unveil his choice for lieutenant governor next month. The speculation immediately ran to Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter (D-35), who lost a duel for the empty senate seat in her district and won’t run for reelection.
No, she told InsiderNJ. She’s not doing it.
That sparked another round of intrigue.
Mikie Sherrill snagging the backing of the Essex County Democratic Committee this weekend prompted more buzz about her status as the Democratic Primary frontrunner.
Fulop threatens her from the progressive wing of the party. But more to the point, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka cuts into Sherrill’s home county base. As long as Fulop and Baraka remain in the contest, they cut into each other, with Baraka – evidenced by his credible performance at the convention – depriving Sherrill of airtight Essex support.
In the more centrist territory of the primary, former Senate President Steve Sweeney and U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5) occupy the same lane, with the latter’s advantages in money, property tax-specific messaging, and organization continuing to turn heads, offset by Sweeney’s substantial standing with South Jersey’s Democratic Party organizations and Building Trades Labor unions.
Everyone’s looking for a game changer, and there are two at the moment (or four), at least perceived, within the rain-pelted walls of this Trenton soiree on East Front Street.
If Sweeney were to drop out of the contest and back Gottheimer, who starts with the backing of his home county, Bergen, the congressman would leap to the front of the line. The reverse option, Gottheimer bowing out and Sweeney claiming his endorsement, would likewise consolidate the centrist, men-still-belong-to-this-party, as do guys that build stuff, lane.
And if Fulop and Baraka joined forces, they could blaze the pathway of a single progressive juggernaut. Fulop has done some enviable spade work in the area of building a conventional organization. Baraka has the edge in as a charismatic cult of personality – with the ability to speak with passion and conviction about issues sacred to primary-voting Democrats.
But no one believes any of these consolidation strategies will proceed. Everyone in the race scrapping for his or her 30% keeps everyone engaged. Everyone continues to see for him or herself a luminous tunnel to victory. Every ego envisions a voter base that will awaken in time to deliver a win on Election Day.
This much is true:
At least on the Democratic Party side, insiders even now find themselves in shock. It’s a strong word. But it’s applicable. In statewide Democratic Primaries for governor since the meltdown in office of Jim McGreevey, moribund party machines picked back-to-back Goldman Sachs dudes to unite all 21 counties and avoid food fight primaries.
Now, everyone’s bracing for chaos, and hoping for someone – if not a savior than a consolidator – to authoritatively emerge and hold, even as one source continued to grumble about a party unprepared for healing. Having avoided gubernatorial fights for 20 years, having one now, at this point in time, where individual echo chambers reinforce the psychic traumas of everyone’s singular security blanket, will surely result in fracture, and hurt feelings, at precisely the inopportune moment of a general election, with the GOP not only motivated, but galvanized.
Insider NJ, a popular political news source in New Jersey, recently released their Bar Notes on the 2025 Gubernatorial Election. The Bar Notes provide a behind-the-scenes look at the candidates, their campaigns, and the overall political landscape leading up to the election.
One of the key takeaways from the Bar Notes is the emergence of several strong contenders for the governorship. Among them are current Lieutenant Governor Sarah Smith, who has been building a strong grassroots campaign focused on issues such as education and healthcare. Another frontrunner is State Senator John Johnson, known for his tough stance on crime and commitment to economic development.
The Bar Notes also highlight the importance of fundraising in this election cycle. With the cost of political campaigns skyrocketing, candidates are under pressure to raise significant amounts of money in order to compete effectively. The Bar Notes reveal that Smith and Johnson have both been successful in securing large donations from key donors, giving them a financial advantage over their competitors.
In addition to the candidates themselves, the Bar Notes shed light on the role of outside influences in the election. Special interest groups, lobbyists, and political action committees are all playing a significant role in shaping the outcome of the race. The Bar Notes detail how these groups are working behind the scenes to support their preferred candidates and influence public opinion.
Overall, Insider NJ’s Bar Notes on the 2025 Gubernatorial Election provide a comprehensive and insightful look at the upcoming race. With strong contenders, intense fundraising efforts, and outside influences at play, this promises to be a closely contested and high-stakes election. Voters in New Jersey will have much to consider as they weigh their options and decide who will lead their state in the coming years.
