Jack Ciattarelli (R) defeated Bill Spadea, Jon Bramnick, and three other candidates in the June 10, 2025, Republican primary for governor of New Jersey. Gov. Phil Murphy (D) was term-limited, meaning the office was open. The last Republican governor was Chris Christie, who left office in 2018.

Rider University’s Micah Rasmussen said, “It has been a long time since it’s been up for grabs, and so, all of our top figures on the Republican side and the Democratic side are finding this an irresistible race to jump at.”

Among Republicans, Ciattarelli, Spadea, and Jon Bramnick led in polling, endorsements, and fundraising before the election. They earned 67%, 22%, and 6% of the vote, respectively.

This was Ciattarelli’s third run for governor. He first ran in 2017, when he lost in the Republican primary to Kim Guadagno. He won the Republican primary in 2021 and lost 51-48% to Murphy in the general election. Ciattarelli previously served on the Raritan Borough Council and the Somerset County Board of Commissioners before representing the 16th District of the New Jersey General Assembly.

Ciattarelli’s campaign website said, “When you compare the records of the announced and presumptive GOP gubernatorial candidates as individual vote-getters and party leaders, there is no comparison. By far, Jack Ciattarelli is superior.” President Donald Trump (R) endorsed Ciattarelli on May 12, 2025, writing on Truth Social, “Jack Ciattarelli is a WINNER, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement – HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, ELECT JACK CIATTARELLI!”

Bramnick represented District 21 of the New Jersey General Assembly from 2003 to 2022, when he was elected to the state Senate. In the former role, he served as Assembly minority leader. Bramnick began his legal career as an attorney in New York City. He was a lawyer, a business law professor, and he founded the law firm Bramnick, Rodriguez, Grabas & Woodruff.

Before the 2024 presidential election, Bramnick said, “If Donald Trump wins New Jersey, I will absolutely withdraw. Because if that’s what New Jersey wants, I ain’t your guy.” His campaign website listed the economy, community safety, sustainable energy, preventing overdevelopment, education, healthcare, and government efficiency as key issues.

Spadea was a radio host, most recently of the Bill Spadea Show. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and hosted Chasing News with Bill Spadea. Spadea’s first run for office was for New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District in 2004. He also ran in a 2012 special election for a state Assembly seat.

Spadea’s campaign website listed illegal immigration, the economy, and infrastructure as priorities. In a campaign ad, Spadea said, “I’m a real conservative, tough on immigration, and will cut taxes. As your governor, I will put you and New Jersey first.”

Justin Barbera, Hans Herberg, and Mario Kranjac also ran. Ed Durr (R) dropped out of the race and endorsed Spadea in March 2025.

In New Jersey, the gubernatorial nominee is selected in the primary. The gubernatorial nominee then chooses a lieutenant gubernatorial running mate, and they run together on a single ticket in the general election.

Ciattarelli will face Mikie Sherrill (D) in the general election on November 4, 2025.