The Brian Lehrer Show The Latest on New Jersey's Governor Race
Aug 19, 2025
Charles Stile, opinion columnist for NorthJersey.com, dives into the fierce New Jersey governor's race between Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli. He discusses the pivotal role of immigration policy and local dynamics, particularly in Burlington County, revealing community resistance against a proposed detention center. Stile also addresses the candidates' contrasting views on abortion rights, the influence of governance on voter perceptions, and the strategic selection of running mates to capture key demographics, all framed within the broader political landscape.
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Independents Split On Local Vs National
- Independent voters respond differently to local versus national framing of the race.
- Asking about local issues increases support for Ciattarelli while national issues decrease it among independents.
Deflecting Blame Instead Of Criticizing Trump
- Ciattarelli opposed using Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst as a detention center but blamed Democrats, not Trump.
- Charles Stile called this a "Trumpian deflection" to avoid alienating the MAGA base.
Fort Dix Plan Was Mostly A Processing Overflow
- The federal plan aimed to process roughly 1,100–2,000 detainees at the base as an overflow transfer station.
- Local Republicans feared escapes and treated it as a classic NIMBY issue in Burlington County.