NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) — In the closely-watched race for governor of New Jersey, some big names for both parties will be working to help their candidates in the final days.
Former President Barack Obama will be in New Jersey to campaign with Democrat Mikie Sherrill on the final weekend before Election Day, and President Donald Trump is planning to host tele-rallies for Republican Jack Ciattarelli.
The high-profile endorsements in the race for the next governor of New Jersey is a big deal, and not just for the Garden State.
“This is just only one year after national elections, it’s very important, kind of bellwether to see where the country may be leaning,” said Peter Kasabach, Executive Director NJ Future.
The Democratic Party is bringing out its heavy hitter in support of Sherrill, announcing Tuesday morning, a November 1 rally will be held in Newark with former President Obama.
Meanwhile, on Monday evening, President Trump posted on Truth Social, “Jack Ciattarelli is a winner for New Jersey,” announcing plans for a group of campaign robocalls.
“Democrats and Republicans know nationwide, this is a do-or-die race for them,” said Ashley Koning of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling. “We also have President Trump looming over this entire election as a huge political figure. And so, you know, it’s not surprising that now we see who is probably still the most popular democratic figurehead at the national level, Barack Obama, now wading into this race as well.”
“There’s a lot of really important issues facing New Jersey. Probably the biggest one is affordability,” Kasabach said.
Affordability, one of the key kitchen table issues facing his successor, was addressed by Governor Phil Murphy on Tuesday morning at Aspen Ideas: Economy Newark Festival.
“There’s an unprecedented amount of volatility that leads to a lot of uncertainty, economic anxiety,” Murphy said.
Murphy narrowly defeated Ciattarelli in 2021, with support from Obama
Eyewitness News spoke to a few Newark residents, who reacted to the announcement that Obama would be campaigning in their city.
“It lets me know that he’s, he’s still very much involved in politics,” said Newark resident Kimberly Martin.
Resident Shahid Ali said it doesn’t move the needle for her.
It’s been 60 years since New Jerseyans elected a governor from the same party for three consecutive terms – since 1965.
What impact and influence Obama and Trump will have on voter turnout, remains to be seen after Election Day.
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