The NPR Politics Podcast Unpacking The New Jersey And Virginia Races For Governor
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Oct 6, 2025 In this insightful discussion, Nancy Solomon, a senior reporter at WNYC, and Margaret Barthel from WAMU, delve into the gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia. Solomon highlights the key issues at play in New Jersey, such as affordability and the influence of Trump. Barthel contrasts candidates in Virginia, shedding light on Winsome Earle-Sears’s cultural messaging and Abigail Spanberger’s moderate campaign focus. Both guests analyze how national politics could shape these local contests and the potential implications for the upcoming midterms.
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Mikie Sherrill’s Moderate Appeal
- Mikie Sherrill is a moderate Democrat with a background as a Navy pilot and federal prosecutor influencing her centrist appeal.
- Her profile and discipline position her to attract middle-of-the-road New Jersey voters concerned about competence and stability.
Ciattarelli’s Persistent Candidacy
- Jack Ciattarelli is a wealthy former state assemblyman who has run for governor multiple times and shifted rightward.
- His money and experience make him a persistent Republican contender in New Jersey's swing statewide gubernatorial contests.
NJ Governors Flip On Local Issues
- New Jersey governors flip between parties because voters are driven by state-level affordability and taxes, not party loyalty.
- That dynamic makes statewide races competitive despite the state's overall blue tilt in federal elections.