NJ Election Fallout: GOP Licks Wounds As Dems Look To Fulfill Affordability Promises

Election Day was just over a week ago, and the political framework of New Jersey is already shifting months before anyone is inaugurated into their newly elected positions.

New Jersey Republicans took a hit last week, not only losing to Democrat Mikie Sherrill in the gubernatorial race, but also five Assembly seats.

Five previously red counties flipped blue in the 2025 General Election, and one glaring reason for why that may have happened is in the White House.

Republican Senator Jon Bramnick, who lost the Republican nomination for governor this year, told N.J. Spotlight News that one reason for the shift was ?a reaction to the last election.?

?Every election is a reaction to the election before, so in this case, this was the Democrats? opportunity to come out and voice their objection with Donald Trump, and to some degree, Jack Ciattarelli,? he said. ?But mostly, this was the first time the Democrats had a chance to speak back.?

A poll conducted by Emerson College before Election Day found that 52.7 percent of likely NJ voters disapprove of the job President Trump is doing in office.

With a majority of New Jersey voters unhappy with the president?s performance, it?s not particularly surprising that Trump-endorsed Ciattarelli was beaten by more than 13 points.

?Voters don?t want you to be 100 percent anything,? Bramnick said. ?They want you to be New Jersey. If it?s good for New Jersey, I?ll support it, but if you go out saying you?re 100 percent Trump, 100 percent of the time, you?re going to lose.?

The government shutdown, SNAP benefits being withheld, and other timely issues occurring as Election Day closed in also may have played a significant role in the Garden State?s Democratic victory.

Meanwhile, Republican State Chairman Glenn Paulsen has announced that he is stepping down, after just being elected in June. The move has triggered a special election for the NJ GOP to elect a new chairman.

Joining Paulsen in stepping down from their position is the executive director of the Republican State Committee, Kate Gibbs. Paulsen appointed her to the position soon after his election.

With all 21 New Jersey counties showing a margin shift towards Democrats this year, all eyes will be on them to fulfill some hefty promises.

Can Democrats Deliver?

According to the Emerson Poll, the two most important issues facing NJ voters were the economy (52.7 percent) and housing affordability (10.8 percent).

Democrats ran on promises of affordability in New Jersey, and it will soon be time to pony up.

Sherrill made it very clear throughout her campaign that on day one as governor, she intends to declare a state of emergency regarding utility costs in New Jersey.

The governor-elect has also promised to address housing affordability by increasing new home construction in an effort to ?expand opportunities for home ownership and help drive down rental costs as supply increases.?

Read More: 6 Promises Mikie Sherrill Made As NJ's Next Governor

Sherrill has already gotten to work in planning with fellow Democrats, getting together with incumbent Governor Phil Murphy in transition moves. Sherrill and her team have also met with Republican leaders, including Senator Anthony M. Bucco, in an effort to encourage bipartisan relationships in the state.

?Dr. Dale Caldwell and I were grateful to meet with (Bucco) this morning in Trenton as we build on our strong bipartisan working relationship to deliver for the people of New Jersey,? Sherrill posted.

As for the Assembly, Democrats pushed for legislation back in May that would focus on addressing the rapidly rising housing and residential utility costs. They also pushed for the state?s tax-relief programs, including ANCHOR and NJ Stay.

However, amid internal tension following the controversial reopening of the federal government, only time will tell if New Jersey Democrats will deliver on their promises of affordability.