The top six Democratic candidates in the 2025 race to succeed Gov. Phil Murphy debated Sunday night at Rider University, sparring over a slew of issues and offering competing visions for the future of the great Garden State.

New Jersey Globe, On New Jersey and Rebovich Institute of New Jersey Politics at Rider University sponsored the debate. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey presented the program.

On New Jersey’s Laura Jones moderated the debate. Panelists included New Jersey Globe Editor David Wildstein and Washington, D.C., reporter Joey Fox as well as Micah Rasmussen, director of the Rebovich Institute of New Jersey Politics at Rider.

Participating candidates included:

• Ras Baraka
• Steven Fulop
• Josh Gottheimer
• Mikie Sherrill
• Sean Spiller
• Steve Sweeney

The candidates discussed a range of issues throughout the nearly two-hour debate, such as the economy, the state budget, spending, taxes, housing, transit, the second Trump administration and more.

Following that spirited conversation, which you can check out here or in the post below, the candidates each had an opportunity to affirm their vision and priorities with a closing statement.

New Jersey Democratic Gubernatorial Primary Debate https://t.co/FYTSK4qMYR

— New Jersey Globe (@TheNJGlobe) February 2, 2025

Sweeney

“I’m the one candidate that’s running that actually knows where the lights in the bathroom are on day one,” said Sweeney, the former New Jersey Senate president. “I know it sounds silly, but that’s the truth. We have a lot of challenges in New Jersey – but we need to make New Jersey the strongest economy in the nation. And we need to do that by controlling our spending and targeting our investments in higher education, where we can actually bring value. New Jersey’s the most educated workforce in the nation.

“That’s why we’re a high-income state. We need to create more of that,” Sweeney stressed. “I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to be here tonight and look forward to two more.”

Spiller

“I truly believe that this is our chance to get a New Jersey that works for more of us,” said Spiller, the NJEA president and former Montclair mayor. “I say that as – yes, the son of immigrants whose parents chose to come to this country and this state. What I saw first-hand as a kid – how many opportunities; but obstacles they also faced. I’ve seen it as that high school teacher – when I see the parents of the kids that come to school every day facing challenging choices that they have to make.

“I’ve seen it as the mayor and done something about it. Making sure we address having quality housing that’s affordable in our communities – and we need it in every single one of our communities,” Spiller continued. “Because it’s such a burden on so many. I fought as a labor leader to say we need quality, affordable health care – because these, again, are challenges for so many. Where they have to choose between food on the table and maybe getting the care that they need. These are the spaces that we need someone who’s fighting for us each and every day on these issues.”

Spiller closed his statement: “Not just someone that we get out there for – put up that lawn sign. And we hope that in the moments where they’re behind those closed doors in those rooms – they maybe remember us or think of our issues. We need to put those lawn signs for ourselves, and our neighbors and our families – and those issues that we care about. That’s who I will be as your governor. Centering the issues that affect you because they affect me. That’s who I am – and that’s why I ask for your support.”

Baraka

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka went next.

“The real question we need to ask ourselves is – where do we want to be a year from now? Do we want to be weak and scared? Or strong and proud? Do we want to be chasing Donald Trump around – or do we want to be building affordable housing? Lowering the cost of health care; building a diverse economy; leaning on diversity, equity, and inclusion in our state; protecting a women’s right to choose; protecting our neighbors – whether they got here 40 years ago or 40 minutes ago; protecting families – and people who are either gay or straight,” said Baraka.

“You have to be talking about building an economy that sees us all – that includes us all,” said Baraka. “Where everybody gets an opportunity to be a part of the middle-class; where they can own homes; where we invest in businesses – small businesses, mid-sized businesses, whether they’re Black or brown or women. We need to invest in all businesses in this state; we need to be growing an economy that includes everybody in this room and everybody in this state. We can do that; we have a choice to do that right now — we can choose to go with what we’ve been doing and get the results that we’ve been getting.

“Or we could choose to do something different; something exciting; something historical,” said Baraka. “We can reimagine this state. We’ve got a choice – only one choice, really. Only one choice – because there’s only two people running for governor up here. All of them – and me. Choose Ras Baraka – Democrat for governor.”

Fulop

“It’s really unfortunate I have to go after Ras,” Fulop, the Jersey City mayor, joked, as he began his closing statement. “I started this campaign a year-and-a-half ago. And I started it with, really, a different goal. The goal was to be substantive on policy – very, very detailed. And we’ve done that. We’ve rolled out policies that are more comprehensive than anybody else out here. It takes time to do that.

“The second thing is – we wanted to build a grassroots organization to change the infrastructure here in New Jersey. And we’ve done that. I know that our campaign isn’t for everybody – because we really speak openly about change and tough conversations,” Fulop continued. “We talk about reforming taxes; we talk about the Turnpike widening; we talk about congestion pricing. You have candidates up here that will look at what the polling says – and then say, ‘you know what, that’s what the public wants to hear – and I’m going to tell them that.’”

Fulop continued, “And I believe that if you are going to change New Jersey, you really need to lean in to tough conversations – and be honest with all of you. So, our campaign isn’t for everybody. I’ll be the first to say that. But if you believe that New Jersey is capable of better. If you believe that it’s capable of change – and you believe in substantive policy. Then I do think our campaign is for you. And I hope you consider joining it.”

Gottheimer

Next up was Gottheimer, the representative for the state’s 5th congressional district in North Jersey.

“The good news is, you look around – when it comes to choice and the environment, everyone up here share Democratic values. And that’s a great thing,” said Gottheimer. “I’m the only one, though, who’s actually put out a tax cut plan to tackle the No. 1 issue, I believe, facing families in Jersey that I hear over and over about: affordability. We’ve got to make life more affordable for families.”

He stressed housing affordability, in particular, for families.

“We’ve got to make sure we get childcare costs down. And we’ve got to get our property taxes down – and deal with income taxes for the middle class,” Gottheimer continued. “My tax cut plan does this. It’s fully paid for. It’s at Josh4Jersey.com. I urge you to read it. Because we can solve this problem. I’m somebody with a long record of solving the toughest problems. We can get this done. We’ve got to be positive and optimistic about it. And if we work together, there’s nothing that can stop us – given how great of a state we live in.

“And I’m very, very proud to be running for governor – and I ask for your support.”

Sherrill

Sherrill, who represents the 11th District in the House of Representatives, drew the closing spot in an order that was pre-determined before the debate.

“You’ve heard the complicated issues that we are facing here in New Jersey. And you know the complicated issues we’re facing coming from Washington,” said Sherrill. “So, if we want to move New Jersey forward, we’re going to need a strong Democratic governor. And that’s exactly what I’ll be. It’s time to lead, follow, or get out of the way. And I choose to lead.

“If you want somebody to build houses that are affordable for our state, we’re going to need a strong Democratic governor. If you want to make sure that we’re addressing roads and rails and buses, you’re going to need a strong Democratic governor,” Sherrill continued, adding, “If you want to make sure that somebody is protecting your abortion rights, you are definitely going to need a strong Democratic governor.”

“And if you want a candidate who’s not going to be the status quo, who’s not going to put up with business-as-usual, you’re going to need a strong Democratic governor. We know what’s coming New Jersey. And you know who I am. You know who I serve. And I’m going to lead – and I’d ask for your vote.”

The debate marked the first such of this election cycle ahead of the June 10 primary.

The first Republican debate takes place Feb. 4  at 7 p.m. The event will also broadcast from Rider University with the same organizers and presenters, as well as Save Jersey with Editor Matt Rooney joining the panel.

Stay tuned to NJBIZ for further coverage of the debate and the 2025 race.