There's less than a week to go in the governor's race, and the candidates Democrat Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11th) and Republican Jack Ciattarelli have each rolled out a bus tour, trying to reach as many voters as possible across the state. They're hosting rallies at each stop, driving home the messages that'll fire up their respective crowds.
"No town in this state will be a sanctuary city and we will not be a sanctuary state," said Ciattarelli. "We gotta get rid of cashless bail. We're getting rid of policy 5756. This notion of school districts keeping secrets from parents. It's immoral, it's indecent, it's wrong, it's dangerous. It ends on day one of my administration. Also on day one, you'll get a new energy master plan. I will lower your electricity bills on day one."
"We know what's at stake. Everything we care about, from driving down electricity costs, housing costs, health care costs, to making sure we're protecting rights and freedoms for all of our communities," said Sherrill. "I am looking around this crowd and I am seeing what New Jersey looks like. It's all of us. It's everyone having a seat at the table, it's everybody having a great education regardless of zip code."
The campaigns are also relying on a massive ground game that includes canvassers on the streets and on the phones. Eric Arpert is Ciattarelli's campaign manager, who says their ground game has been strong throughout the campaign.
"We've got teams in every county, frankly in every town, out knockingon doors, making phone calls, texting," said Arpert. "It's so important that people get out there and text their friends and neighbors, call their friends and neighbors, knock on their doors and tell them why this election is so important. We cannot afford more of the same here in New Jersey."
"We're also seeing that energy and enthusiasm translate into the early voting numbers, where we've seen the Democrats have built up a really strong firewall, outperforming what Democrats saw in 2021 and 2024," said Higgins.
Both candidates say their side has the momentum.
"The energy's been electric all across the state. Minority communities, our reception's been overwhelmingly positive. And when Democrats are endorsing you up and down the state, that's usually a really good sign. We just picked up another big endorsement yesterday. But we're not gonna take anything for granted. We're gonna work hard for the last six days and get it done," Ciattarelli said on Monday.
"Whether it's vote by mails or the early in person voting, we're feeling the energy on the ground. Obviously, today, a Tuesday morning, to see the excitement has been great. And I also think getting so many young people out has been so great to see in this election," Sherrill said on Tuesday.
Her campaign is pulling in several heavy hitters later this week, starting with former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttegieg Thursday, and former President Barack Obama on Saturday. Ciattarelli recently held a "tele-rally" with President Donald Trump and his campaign says he'll be out every day, just like he's been all election season. Both candidates say they're pushing through the finish line.