With the gubernatorial seat up for grabs next year, New Jersey is bracing for a political showdown as ten candidates prepare to debate for the Democratic and Republican nominations. The debates, scheduled for early February at Rider University, are pivotal for candidates looking to distinguish themselves in a crowded field.
The Democratic debate will take place on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at 7:00 PM, featuring six high-profile contenders: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Mikie Sherrill, New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller, and former Senate President Steve Sweeney.
Just two days later, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 7:00 PM, the Republican hopefuls will present their platforms, including State Senator Jon Bramnick, former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, former State Senator Ed Durr, and NJ101.5 radio host Bill Spadea.
Gerald D’Ambra, one of the founders of On New Jersey (ONNJ), expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “This is a critical juncture for New Jersey politics. ONNJ is positioned to provide continued public service to the residents of New Jersey through our free platform.”
Both events are co-sponsored by The New Jersey Globe, On New Jersey, and the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University, with Save Jersey joining as a sponsor for the Republican debate.
Moderating the debates will be Laura Jones, host of “New Jersey Politics with Laura Jones” on MeTV-WJLP and On New Jersey. The panel will feature notable figures in New Jersey politics, including New Jersey Globe editor David Wildstein, political reporter Joey Fox, and Micah Rasmussen from the Rebovich Institute. For the Republican debate, Save Jersey Editor Matt Rooney will also participate.
Lisa Marie Falbo, co-founder of ONNJ, highlighted the importance of student involvement, saying, “Having Rider University students contribute questions is an excellent way to engage the next generation of voters with the political process right in their backyard.”
The debates come at a time when traditional political endorsements, such as the county line, might not play the decisive role they once did, with candidates needing to make their mark directly with voters. “The landscape of New Jersey politics is changing, and these debates are a testament to that evolution,” added D’Ambra.
With vote-by-mail ballots set to be dispatched in late April, these debates are an early opportunity for candidates to sway public opinion. Both events will be accessible to a live audience and credentialed media, broadcast live across streaming and social media platforms, lasting an hour and forty-five minutes each.
Interestingly, the Democratic debate follows the final print edition of the Newark Star-Ledger, marking the end of an era for one of New Jersey’s oldest newspapers on February 1, 2025.
It’s worth noting that these debates are not part of the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission’s requirement for gubernatorial candidates participating in public financing to engage in two debates in the spring.
As New Jersey gears up for a transition in leadership, these debates will not only set the stage for the primaries but also reflect the state’s political pulse in a post-Murphy era.
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