Five leading Democratic contenders for New Jersey governor faced off Sunday night in the final debate before the primary, offering a mostly measured but substantive discussion on key issues ranging from congestion pricing and education reform to clean energy and affordability.
Reps. Mikie Sherrill and Josh Gottheimer, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, and former Senate President Steve Sweeney took the stage at Essex County’s Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology for the two-and-a-half-hour debate. NJEA President Sean Spiller did not qualify due to fundraising thresholds.
Tensions flared over congestion pricing, with Fulop and Gottheimer clashing over the policy’s fairness to New Jersey commuters. Fulop claimed GOP candidate Jack Ciattarelli had adopted his “reverse congestion pricing” plan—prompting a jab from Baraka: “I wouldn’t brag about that.”
Sherrill largely avoided the fray. “I’ve got four kids—I don’t really engage in bickering,” she quipped, deflecting away from confronting the issue.
On education, candidates criticized the state’s fragmented school district system. Sherrill proposed countywide organization, while Gottheimer called for cutting administrative costs. Baraka said New Jersey must stand firm on supporting DEI despite threats from former President Trump.
Energy policy also sparked disagreement. Sweeney defended continued reliance on natural gas, saying, “We can’t afford all this clean energy.” Fulop pushed back, warning of long-term consequences and urging bold climate action.
