The first gubernatorial debate was much like so many in the state’s past: Scripted answers, a few good lines but likely little that cost either candidate support.
Oh, and aside from a few thoughts on energy prices, there was little for the business crowd.
As expected, Republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli offered more specifics on how he hoped to achieve his goals — as has been the case all campaign season. That would be enough to give him the overall edge on the night.
But this much was unexpected: Democratic nominee Mikie Sherrill was ready to rumble. After a slow start, she gave as good as she received — and may have had more of the bigger lines down the stretch, even if she came up short on policy proposals.
The biggest surprise may have been this: It was a question on education that drew the most spirited sequence.
The biggest winner may have been the event itself. The town hall-format — with an audience of approximately 1,600 inside the gymnasium at Rider University — created great energy and atmosphere.
The format created organized chaos — all of which was handled deftly by host Laura Jones and the team at On New Jersey and New Jersey Globe, which clearly showed they were ready for the moment. Their pre- and post-event coverage set a new standard, too.
The format led to plenty of chants and catcalls from the audience, but not too many that went over the line — though, at one point, Sherrill did have to remind folks that there were children present.
The best line of the night went to Jones. After announcing the debate would start a few minutes late to account for traffic, she noted the traffic was not the fault of David Wildstein, one of the moderators.
With that, here are some of the highlights on key issues/ideas:
The opening question
After being told Jerseyans feel her campaign has had plenty of broad talking points, but is light on specifics, Sherrill offered little specifics but went to offer what became a common answer during the night: Ciattarelli will raise taxes.
Ciattarelli told the audience that they just got “60 seconds of generalities and platitudes,” then offered specific tax plans, including allowing residents to deduct 100% of your property taxes on your New Jersey tax return — and make the first two years of income post high school or post college, tax free, “so young people can get a start.” To be clear, Ciattarelli wasn’t clear on how he would make up that lost income, but he won the opening round.
Trump talk
After hitting Sherrill with a tough opening question, the moderators hit Ciattarelli with one, too — asking why and how his view on President Trump had changed over the past eight years.
Ciattarelli didn’t answer the question, but he did rattle off a number of what he considered ‘wins’ by the president — including the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill.’ Sherrill answered back hard —noting that Ciattarelli has said he won’t differ from Trump.
Political violence volleys
It’s the topic of the week. So, candidates were asked if they would support legislation to make political violence a hate crime? Ciattarelli gave a definite, ‘Yes.’ Sherill noted she fought for and defended the right of free speech throughout her adult life and stands against political violence — but did not directly answer the question about a bill making it a hate crime.
Sherrill, however, did deliver a great line that hinted at Trump.
“I also think it’s fair, Jack, to speak up when you disagree with something,” she said. “So, if you want to stand up that Martin Luther King was a bad guy or that women should submit to their husbands, you, Jack, are welcome to do that, and I have the right to say that I disagree with it.”
It was a sign of things to come.
Affordability
Ciattarelli said the ANCHOR and STAY programs are a gimmick, one in which people pay taxes then have it sent back. He reminded the audience that Democrats have controlled the legislature for 25 years and the executive branch for the past eight years. He then noted that Pennsylvania has a 3% flat tax compared to 10.75% in New Jersey. He said he would propose three tax rates of 3%, 4% and 5%. Sherrill again suggested that Ciattarelli wants to raise taxes.
Consolidation
Should school districts and municipalities be forced to merge. Ciattarelli said it’s up to the municipalities and school districts — and that he would encourage/incentivize them to do so but not force them to. Sherrill said the government would have to “start looking into” compulsory agreements if municipalities and school systems continue to waste taxpayer money.
Global warming
Ciattarelli said he believes in global warming, saying it impacts urban and suburban areas. He said that the state needs a “rational transition” to the future. He points to natural gas as the easiest answer for today. He also said “high density” housing that is being forced on towns is causing climate problems, too.
Sherrill also believes in climate change, noting that she wants to “drive down carbon emissions (and) drive massive amounts of power to the grid so we can decrease costs and ensure people are paying lower costs.”
NJ Transit
Sherrill pointed to her efforts to push for the Gateway Tunnel and holding Amtrak accountable for their rail system. She said she is now challenging the Port Authority to be better. Ciattarelli went off topic, suggesting all of the road mass transit systems (Turnpike, Parkway, AC Expressway) but under one roof. It was an odd response. And there were no specifics on how that would help NJ Transit.
Education
Candidates argued for nearly six minutes about segregated schools, charter schools, learning loss and parental rights. Good back and forth didn’t produce a clear winner.
Vaccines
Sherrill had the upper hand here, noting the Trump administration was undoing decades of scientific guidance and guidelines to the detriment of kids. Ciattarelli answered that he wants to raise vaccinations above the threshold for herd immunity, but he didn’t address the elephant in the room. Sherrill did.
Sherrill said Ciattarelli hasn’t stood up for vaccines or against RFK. “He hasn’t mentioned anything,” she said. “He doesn’t mention anything about firing the head of the CDC or how Trump’s appointee gets most of his medical information on Tik Tok and Reels.”
It was one of her biggest applause lines of the night. And led to quite a commotion, as each tried to yell over the raucous crowd about how independent they are.
Sales tax
Both were asked if they are willing to commit to not raising the sales tax if you become governor? Ciattarelli said he would not raise the sales tax — then compared the state’s tax rates to Pennsylvania’s (which are much lower). It led to one of Ciattarelli’s better lines of the night.
“It took us 238 years to get the $36 billion budget. In eight years, we got to $59 billion. Can anybody tell me their life is better off than it was eight years ago,” he asked.
Sherrill came back with a good line: “I can see why your time as a CPA was so short-lived because your math just doesn’t add up,” she said.
She then said: “I’m not going to commit to anything right now.”
Sherrill then offered a non-specific plan: “I’m going to be fiscally responsible with your money. I’m going to drive down your cost at every level, and I’m going to make sure your kids have great opportunities,” she said.
And then there’s …
At this point, the debate really started to rise in energy.
The candidates made some personal attacks regarding electability and personal finance.
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The host/show made its only misstep when Tom Byrne, the son of the former governor and a former member of the state’s bi-partisan pension and benefits study commission, was only introduced as “Tom from Princeton,” before asking about pension plans. (Sherrill seemingly committed to making a full payment. Ciattarelli did not — saying rising health costs for state workers was a bigger financial issue).
There were questions about AI. Queries about ethics in government. And a spirited debate about immigration and ICE and “following the constitution” came up toward the end.
The debate, while entertaining, was starting to lose steam. In fact, some of the audience was walking out during closing statements, as if they were trying to beat the traffic over the GW Bridge at a Yankees game.
As for the event, it can be best described this way:
Was it fun and spirited? Yes.
Did either candidate make a huge gaffe? No.
When will we do it again? Oct. 8 at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center.
