Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday blasted New Jersey’s “crap leadership” while urging voters to back Republican Jack Ciattarelli in his tight race against Democrat Mikie Sherrill for governor.
The state hasn’t had a GOP governor since Chris Christie (2010–2018), and Democrat Phil Murphy is term-limited, leaving office in January 2026.
“Get out there and vote for Jack if you live in NJ,” Vance said in a post on X. “New Jersey is such a great state, but it’s suffered too long under crap leadership.”
Get out there and vote for Jack if you live in NJ.
New Jersey is such a great state but it’s suffered too long under crap leadership. https://t.co/Rn3OqwYeZy
— JD Vance (@JDVance) November 4, 2025
Conversely, Vance’s post about Ciattarelli comes days after former President Barack Obama visited New Jersey to campaign with Sherrill.
“You’ve got a future governor to be excited about in Mikie Sherill,” Obama said on Saturday during an event in Newark. “In three days, we’ve got the chance to elect a leader who’s going to help build a better, stronger, brighter future for New Jersey. And Lord knows we need that light. We need that inspiration. Because let’s face it, our country and our politics are in a pretty dark place right now. It’s hard to know where to start, because every day this White House offers up a fresh batch of lawlessness and carelessness and mean spiritedness. And just plain old craziness.”
President Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday that, “Jack will be a GREAT Governor, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement.”
“He will never let you down,” Trump also said.
The Ciattarelli–Sherrill race is among the nation’s most closely watched contests this Election Day. Ciattarelli narrowly lost to Gov. Phil Murphy by under 100,000 votes in 2021. Results are expected after polls close in New Jersey at 8 p.m. ET.
