Sweeney enters 2025 gubernatorial race

Matthew Fazelpoor//December 11, 2023//

Then-Senate President Steve Sweeney speaks at the groundbreaking for the New Jersey Wind Port on Sept. 9, 2021. - EDWIN J. TORRES/NJ GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

Matthew Fazelpoor//December 11, 2023//

Listen to this article

Former Senate President Steve Sweeney confirmed recent speculation Monday, officially declaring his candidacy for the Democratic nomination in the 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial race.

Sweeney, 64, is a former union Ironworker who has had a multi-decade public service career that included 20 years in the State Senate representing New Jersey’s Third District — and more than a decade of that time as the state’s longest-serving Senate president.

In 2021, Sweeney was ousted in a shocking defeat by an unknown challenger, now state Sen. Ed Durr, R-3rd District. Democrats recently took that seat back in November ahead of the upcoming legislative term when Durr was defeated by former Assemblyman John Burzichelli. Sweeney has since served as chair of the advisory board of The Steve Sweeney Center for Public Policy at Rowan University, which launched in 2022.

The former Senate president has flirted with a run for governor before, but never officially entered the race until the Dec. 11 announcement. He joins Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop as the only declared candidates for the 2025, so far.

Steve Sweeney, right, bumps fists with Dominic Lomanno, food services coordinator at Gloucester County Special Services School District. Sweeney said the "unique collaborative program" in South Jersey "should be a national model for integrating lifelong services for the developmentally disabled." — Steve Sweeney, right, bumps fists with Dominic Lomanno, food services coordinator at Gloucester County Special Services School District during an event announcing the creation of the Academy for Neurodiversity on the Rowan College of South Jersey campus. – ROWAN UNIVERSITY

“I’ll always put New Jersey’s kids, working families, and seniors first,” Sweeney pledged in his campaign announcement video. “You know that’s who I’ll fight for because it’s who I’ve always fought for. It’s who I am. A fighter for people who can’t fight for themselves. I’m running for governor because New Jersey is worth fighting for.”

Sweeney also pledged to fight for a tax system that works for New Jersey families and retirees instead of big corporations; a first-class pre-K through grade 12 education system; expanded higher education and job training opportunities; increased funding for local police; and a constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights.

He stressed the need to make New Jersey more affordable for all citizens.

“If you want to, you should be able to work with dignity, buy a home, raise a family, care for loved ones and retire confidently – all in New Jersey,” said Sweeney.

This story is developing. Please stay with NJBIZ for updates as we get them, including reaction to Sweeney entering the race.