Obama Campaigns for Sherill as Governor’s Race Tightens

Former President Barack Obama joined Democratic leaders at a rally Saturday at Essex County College in Newark, urging voters to cast their ballots in an election Democrats described as a defining test for American democracy, with polls showing the governor’s race in a dead heat.

Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill is narrowly leading with 49% support, compared to Republican Jack Ciattarelli’s 48%, while 3% of voters remain undecided. With Election Day just one day away, the race has become a critical battleground reflecting national political trends as one of only two states, along with Virginia, holding a governor’s race this year.

Speaking to a standing crowd around 7 p.m., Obama told voters that Sherrill is the “kind of leader who understands the mission.” His appearance came hours after campaigning in Virginia for Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger, Democrats fight to retain power in critical off-year races following devastating 2024 losses. 

“It’s like everyday is Halloween, except it’s all tricks and not treats,” said Obama, claiming the GOP-led agenda has welcomed economic power distorting the political process.  “I worry about the growing concentration of economic power in the country with just a handful of mega billionaires and companies controlling what we see and what we hear,” he said.

Obama’s return to the political spotlight has refocused attention on the Democratic Party’s efforts to recover from the sweeping 2024 losses that left it without power on the Hill. He also heralded his support for New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani on Saturday, in a 30-minute phone call encouraging the progression of his campaign.

Sherrill Makes The Case

“We are waging a battle at this very moment for the future of our nation,” said Sherrill, addressing the crowd at Essex County College’s gymnasium.

Democratic speakers at the rally repeatedly highlighted the significance of the upcoming political cycle, arguing that the choices made by voters will directly influence the values and opportunities inherited by future generations of Americans.

“Do we want people who are opposed to democracy or do we want people who uphold democracy?” said Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Sherrill’s former Democratic gubernatorial opponent.

Jerri Johnson, a freshman attending Essex County College who participated at the rally, put the stakes in personal terms.

“If they [Republicans] were to put themselves in the shoes of someone who might be affected, of that undocumented immigrant that might be arrested by ICE or that one mother with four children who is on food stamps, they would understand that this is a problem,” said Johnson. 

“If you do not vote, or you choose to stay undecided, you are choosing to stay as we are now,” Johnson continued.

Rally Draws More Major Political Figures

The rally brought together Democratic leaders from throughout the state to back Sherrill. Those in attendance included U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, U.S. Reps. LaMonica McIver, Rob Menendez, Frank Pallone, and Nellie Pou, state Sens. Teresa Ruiz and Vin Gopal, Gov. Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy.

Notable was the attendance of former political opponents of Sherrill from the June Democratic primary, now unified behind her candidacy: Rep. Josh Gottheimer, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, and former teachers union chief Sean Spiller. Several major political figures who spoke encouraged the efforts to preserve democracy.

Scores of members carried coordinated blue-and-white signs declaring “Hit the Road, Jack” in reference to Ciattarelli, and “Let’s Land This,” a slogans crafted to underscore Sherrill’s record as a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot. Outside, several hundred additional people gathered outside after the venue reached capacity, where screens were set up to broadcast the speeches.

Trump’s Support of Ciattarelli Looms Over Race

President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Jack Ciattarelli, joining him for a recent telephone rally and praising him as a “great candidate.” Trump’s endorsement has boosted Ciattarelli, who has, in turn, given the administration an “A grade.”

On the trail, Ciattarelli has built his message around strong opposition to Democratic policies, referring to Sherrill as “Murphy 2.0” during a Sunday rally in Hazlet. 

“If [Sherrill] were elected, it’s four more years of failed policies,” Ciattarelli warned.

Sherrill Focuses on Economic Issues, Food Insecurity

Sherrill underscored the issue of higher utilities costs faced in New Jersey, claiming Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” as one “Big Big Beautiful betrayal,” to families feeling the brunt across the state of a 20% utility spike.

“Hope has two beautiful daughters, anger and courage. Anger at the way things are and the courage to fight for change,” Sherrill added. She spoke on her campaign’s initiative to collect donations for the Community Food Bank of New Jersey (CFBNJ), criticizing the Trump administration for allowing SNAP funding to expire and pushing back more families towards food banks. 

Murphy Takes Aim at Trump and Ciattarelli

Murphy also addressed the crowd, entering a lame-duck season as Election Day closes in. 

“I came here to praise Mikie Sherrill, then it occurred to me at the back of the stage, somebody’s got to take [Donald Trump] on, we can’t let him get away with this,” Murphy said. “800,000 New Jerseyans started to go hungry because of what President Trump has done to SNAP and we have not heard a peep out of Jack!”

The remnants of the government shutdown are rippling beyond the federal workforce. As the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) faces a funding shortfall affecting over 42 million Americans, many families resort to this federal food assistance program to address day-to-day needs.

Momentum Building in Final Days

The rally energized supporters, and those who spoke to New Jersey Urban News expressed that this election is a crucial step forward toward rebuilding Democratic strength ahead of next year’s midterm elections.

“That kind of visible support will pull some undecided voters over, inspire people who were not going to vote to go to the polls and make [Sherrill’s] supporters work to get out the vote,” said Larry Hamm, a longtime civil rights activist and the founder of the People’s Organization for Progress, a Newark-based grassroots group since 1982. 

“I believe we can win,” Hamm added.