NJ gubernatorial candidates outline Trump resistance plans amid Los Angeles chaos

The Democratic gubernatorial candidates in New Jersey are making their final pitches to voters as primary Election Day unfolds in the Garden State. With Gov. Phil Murphy term-limited this year, the race to replace him is heating up, with candidates Rep. Mikie Sherrill and Rep. Josh Gottheimer defending California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s response to the protests and riots impacting ICE operations in Los Angeles.

Sherrill, a U.S. Navy veteran and former U.S. Attorney’s Office outreach and re-entry coordinator, emphasized her military and law enforcement background when discussing how she would handle the ongoing situation in Los Angeles differently from Newsom. She vowed to prioritize safety and speak out against President Trump’s attempts to incite violence in the country.

Trump’s recent comments about Newsom and his decision to deploy National Guardsmen and Marines to Los Angeles have sparked controversy. Sherrill criticized Trump for adding fuel to the fire and making the situation more violent, calling his actions unacceptable. Meanwhile, Gottheimer called Trump’s deployment of troops without Newsom’s request “outrageous” and emphasized the need to protect New Jersey families.

Both candidates positioned themselves as the best option to take on Trump, with Sherrill emphasizing her willingness to resist the status quo and Gottheimer highlighting his tenacity as a leader. They are joined in the Democratic gubernatorial race by Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, NJEA President Sean Spiller, and former state Senate President Steve Sweeney.

The issue of immigration has taken center stage in the New Jersey governor’s race, with Baraka’s arrest at an ICE facility earlier this year and Spiller’s vow to stand up against Trump’s immigration policies. Baraka has filed a lawsuit against U.S. Attorney Alina Habba and DHS Agent Ricky Patel for false arrest and defamation, while Spiller has denounced Trump’s tactics as threats to democracy.

As New Jersey voters cast their ballots in the primary election, the Democratic candidates are focused on positioning themselves as the best choice to lead the state and resist Trump’s policies. With a diverse field of candidates vying for the nomination, the race for governor in New Jersey is shaping up to be a closely watched contest.