On November 3, 2021, Democratic candidate and incumbent Governor Philip Murphy was reelected governor of New Jersey for his second term in a razor-thin gubernatorial election between Philip Murphy and Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican candidate for governor. Murphy leads in the election by just 29,000 votes on the morning of Thursday, November 4.

Murphy’s plan includes widely accessible pre-K, stricter gun regulations, and a Reproductive Freedom Act. Murphy has a history of making good on his promises such as widely accessible voter access, community college financed by taxpayers, and state aid for schools.

This is in stark contrast to the plans of Ciattarelli. Ciattarelli has historically supported not having background checks on firearm purchases, has supported the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, and would like to rewrite the School Funding Reform Act.

The election has been a consolation to Democrats after losing the gubernatorial election and most other elections in Virginia to Republican candidates. The election of Glen Youngkin has widely changed the national political climate and is a wake-up call to Democrats across the country. With the upcoming midterm elections, Democrats will need to develop a different strategy to maintain control of the House and Senate.