2017 New Jersey gubernatorial election explained

See also: 2017 United States gubernatorial elections.

Election Name:	2017 New Jersey gubernatorial election
Country:	New Jersey
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	no
Previous Election:	2013 New Jersey gubernatorial election
Previous Year:	2013
Next Election:	2021 New Jersey gubernatorial election
Next Year:	2021
Election Date:	November 7, 2017
Turnout:	38.5%^[1] (1.1%)
Image1:	File:Phil Murphy for Governor (cropped 2).jpg
Nominee1:	Phil Murphy
Party1:	Democratic Party (United States)
Running Mate1:	Sheila Oliver
Popular Vote1:	1,203,110
Percentage1:	56.03%
Nominee2:	Kim Guadagno
Party2:	Republican Party (United States)
Running Mate2:	Carlos Rendo
Popular Vote2:	899,583
Percentage2:	41.89%
Governor
Before Election:	Chris Christie
Before Party:	Republican Party (United States)
After Election:	Phil Murphy
After Party:	Democratic Party (United States)

The 2017 New Jersey gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 2017, to elect a new governor of New Jersey. Incumbent Republican Governor Chris Christie was term-limited and could not seek a third consecutive term.^[2]

Primary elections took place on June 6, 2017. Kim Guadagno, the incumbent lieutenant governor of New Jersey, won the Republican primary for governor and chose Woodcliff Lake Mayor Carlos Rendo as her running mate. Phil Murphy, a banker and former U.S. Ambassador to Germany, won the Democratic primary, and chose former State Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver as his running mate. Seth Kaper-Dale ran as the Green Party candidate with Lisa Durden, while Pete Rohrman ran as the Libertarian Party candidate with Karrese Laguerre. Matt Riccardi ran as the Constitution Party candidate. There were two other independent candidates on the ballot.

Murphy led throughout the general election, with many analysts expecting a Democratic pickup. When polls closed on Election Day, Murphy was immediately declared the winner, based on exit polling alone. Murphy received 56.0% of the vote to Guadagno's 41.9%.^[3] Murphy slightly outperformed Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential run in the state. With the election of Sheila Oliver as lieutenant governor, she became the first woman of color elected to statewide office in New Jersey. 38.5% of registered voters cast ballots, marking the lowest turnout on record for any gubernatorial election in New Jersey.^[4] Guadagno later left the Republican Party in July 2021. ^{[5] [6]}

2017 was the first New Jersey gubernatorial election since 1989 in which the Democratic candidate won Somerset County, as well as the first since 2005 in which the Democratic candidate won Burlington County, Middlesex County, Atlantic County, or Gloucester County; the latter two counties have not voted Democratic for governor since. Murphy became the first New Jersey governor since Brendan Byrne in 1973 to win without any prior elected experience, and the first since Charles Edison in 1940 to win without having held any prior public office in the state. This is the first gubernatorial election since 1937 in which the Democratic nominee won without winning Salem County, and the first since 1981 that it voted for the losing candidate. This is the last time that the winner of the New Jersey gubernatorial election won a majority of New Jersey's counties.

Background

Primary elections took place on June 6, 2017.^[7] New Jersey utilizes a semi-closed primary system, meaning that only registered party members may vote in primary elections. However, unaffiliated voters can change their party registration and vote in either party primary on election day.^{[8] [9]}

The deadline to file petitions to qualify for primary elections was April 3; eleven contenders submitted petitions satisfying the requirement of 1,000 signatures.^[10] On April 18, as is required by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, the candidates' financial disclosures, showing sources of earned income (e.g. salaries) and unearned income (e.g. investments), were made public.^[11]

Gubernatorial primary candidates utilized what is known as the "matching funds" program. Those who raised at least $430,000 qualified to receive two dollars in public money for every dollar raised privately. State law mandates that any primary candidates who qualify for matching funds must participate in at least two primary debates. Candidates who choose not to seek matching funds but commit to raising and spending at least $430,000 can also participate.^{[12] [13]} As of May 8, primary candidates had received donations from ten states other than New Jersey.^[14]

The first debates were held on May 9, hosted by Stockton University. The Republicans debated first followed by the Democrats. The debates were live-streamed on Facebook, the university's website via Livestream, and on News 12 New Jersey. The live stream was simulcast in Spanish.^[15] The second Democratic debate was held on May 11, the second Republican debate on May 18.^[16] They were co-hosted by PBS Member network NJTV and NJ Spotlight.^[17]

The Republican debates included two of the five candidates: Jack Ciattarelli and Kim Guadagno, who both qualified for matching funds.^{[12] [18]} Hirsh Singh filed a lawsuit to enter the debates, claiming to have raised over $900,000 despite missing a deadline to file; his challenge was rejected by the state courts.^{[19] [20]}

The Democratic debates included four of the six candidates: Jim Johnson, John Wisniewski (who both qualified for matching funds), Phil Murphy (who opted out of matching funds but had spent enough to qualify), and Raymond Lesniak (who did not raise enough to qualify for matching funds but loaned his campaign enough money to qualify for the debates).^[12]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Jack Ciattarelli, state assemblyman^[21]
• Kim Guadagno, Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State^[22]
• Steven Rogers, Nutley Commissioner of Public Affairs^[23]
• Joseph Rudy Rullo, businessman and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012^[24]
• Hirsh Singh, engineer and businessman^[25]

Withdrawn

• Dana Wefer, chairwoman of the Hoboken Housing Authority^{[26] [27]}

Declined

• Jon Bramnick, Minority Leader of the New Jersey General Assembly (ran for reelection)^[28]
• Randy Brown, mayor of Evesham Township^{[29] [30] [31]}
• Michael J. Doherty, state senator (ran for reelection)^[32]
• Thomas Kean Jr., Minority Leader of the New Jersey Senate and son of former governor Thomas Kean (ran for reelection)^{[33] [34]}
• Kevin J. O'Toole, state senator^[35]
• Joe Piscopo, actor, comedian and radio show host^[36]

Fundraising

Primary campaign finance activity through June 23, 2017
Candidate	Raised	Spent	Cash on hand
data-sort-value="Ciattarelli, Jack"	Jack Ciattarelli	$1,768,417	$1,731,962	$36,337
data-sort-value="Guadagno, Kim"	Kim Guadagno	$3,540,927	$3,451,743	$89,184
data-sort-value="Rogers, Steven"	Steven Rogers	$27,522	$27,522	$0
data-sort-value="Rullo, Joseph Rudy"	Joseph Rudy Rullo	$13,573	$9,809	$64
data-sort-value="Singh, Hirsh"	Hirsh Singh	$1,021,387	$1,016,191	$5,196
Source: New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission^[37]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Jack Ciattarelli	Kim Guadagno	Steven Rogers	Joseph Rudy Rullo	Hirsh Singh	Other	Undecided
Stockton University	May 16–23, 2017	389	± 4.9%	18%	align=center	37%	4%	3%	3%	2%	31%
Stockton University	April 26 – May 1, 2017	359	–	19%	align=center	29%	4%	4%	2%	1%	align=center	41%
Quinnipiac University	April 26 – May 1, 2017	331	± 5.4%	12%	align=center	23%	5%	3%	—	1%	align=center	51%
Fairleigh Dickinson University	March 22–26, 2017	216	± 6.7%	5%	align=center	24%	1%	1%	0%	14%^[38]	align=center	54%
Quinnipiac University	March 9–13, 2017	315	± 5.5%	3%	align=center	28%	2%	1%	—	19%^[39]	align=center	42%
Fairleigh Dickinson University	January 25–29, 2017	275	± 5.9%	2%	align=center	18%	2%	0%	—	25%^[40]	align=center	52%

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• Bill Brennan, activist and former firefighter^[41]
• Jim Johnson, former U.S. Under Secretary of the Treasury for Enforcement^[42]
• Raymond Lesniak, state senator and former chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee^[43]
• Phil Murphy, former United States Ambassador to Germany and former Goldman Sachs executive^[44]
• John Wisniewski, state assemblyman and former chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee^[45]
• Mark Zinna, Tenafly Borough Council President^[46]

Withdrawn

• Paul Binetti, LGBT activist and nightclub manager (did not submit petitions)^{[47] [48] [49]}
• Monica Brinson, pharmaceutical sales representative (did not submit petitions)^{[50] [51]}
• Bob Hoatson, sexual abuse victims advocate and former Catholic priest^{[52] [53] [54]}
• Lisa McCormick, weekly newspaper publisher (did not submit petitions)^[55]
• Titus Pierce, businessman and Iraq War veteran (did not submit petitions)^{[56] [57]}

Declined

• Cory Booker, U.S. Senator^[58]
• Tom Byrne, former chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee and son of former governor Brendan Byrne^[59]
• Richard Codey, state senator and former governor (running for re-election)^{[60] [61]}
• Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr., Essex County Executive^{[60] [62]}
• Steven Fulop, mayor of Jersey City (running for re-election)^[63]
• Rush Holt Jr., former U.S. Representative^[64]
• Michael Murphy, lobbyist and candidate for governor in 1997^[65]
• Robert Russo, Deputy Mayor of Montclair Township^{[66] [67]}
• Shavonda E. Sumter, state assemblywoman (running for re-election)^{[68] [69]}
• Stephen M. Sweeney, president of the New Jersey Senate (running for re-election)^[70]

Fundraising

Primary campaign finance activity through June 23, 2017
Candidate	Raised	Spent	Cash on hand
data-sort-value="Brennan, Bill"	Bill Brennan	$20,847	$20,847	$0
data-sort-value="Johnson, Jim"	Jim Johnson	$3,256,514	$3,198,226	$58,288
data-sort-value="Lesniak, Raymond"	Raymond Lesniak	$791,368	$718,619	$64,990
data-sort-value="Murphy, Phil"	Phil Murphy	$21,995,248	$21,735,597	$262,951
data-sort-value="Wisniewski, John"	John Wisniewski	$2,142,139	$2,081,439	$60,795
data-sort-value="Zinna, Mark"	Mark Zinna	$33,498	$32,622	$877
Source: New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Brennan	Jim Johnson	Raymond Lesniak	Phil Murphy	John Wisniewski	Mark Zinna	Other	Undecided
Stockton University	May 16–23, 2017	403	± 4.9%	3%	10%	4%	align="center"	34%	9%	1%	1%	33%
Stockton University	April 26 – May 1, 2017	385	–	2%	6%	5%	align="center"	37%	8%	0%	—	align="center"	41%
Quinnipiac University	April 26 – May 1, 2017	519	± 4.3%	3%	7%	4%	align="center"	26%	5%	1%	1%	align="center"	52%
The Mellman Group	April 26–30, 2017	600	± 4.0%	0%	4%	3%	align="center"	37%	7%	0%	—	align="center"	49%
Fairleigh Dickinson University	March 22–26, 2017	386	± 5%	2%	4%	3%	align="center"	23%	4%	0%	10%^[71]	align="center"	53%
Quinnipiac University	March 9–13, 2017	450	± 4.6%	2%	4%	4%	align="center"	23%	6%	—	—	align="center"	57%
Fairleigh Dickinson University	January 25–29, 2017	410	± 4.8%	—	2%	7%	align="center"	17%	6%	—	align="center"	17%	align="center"	50%
Lake Research Partners (D-Johnson)	November 17–21, 2016	400	± 4.9%	—	8%	—	align="center"	22%	10%	—	—	align="center"	59%

Results

Third parties and independents

Declared

• Gina Genovese (Independent), former mayor of Long Hill^[72]
• Seth Kaper-Dale (Green), pastor^[73]
• Matt Riccardi (Constitution), Marine veteran^[74]
• Pete Rohrman (Libertarian), retired U.S. Marine and nominee for Bergen County Freeholder in 2015 and 2016^{[75] [76]}
• Vincent Ross (Independent), electrician^{[77] [78]}

Withdrawn

• Karese Laguerre (Independent), dental hygienist (running for lieutenant governor on the Libertarian ticket)^[79]
• Jonathan Lancelot (Independent), computer technician
• Mike Price (Independent), businessman^[80]

Declined

• Joe Piscopo (Independent), actor, comedian, and radio show host^[81]

General election

Seven candidates were on the ballot in the November general election, the lowest number in a New Jersey gubernatorial contest since six ran in 1989.^[82]

Candidates

Major

The following candidates have qualified to appear in the state-sponsored debates:^[83]

• Kim Guadagno (Republican), Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State of New Jersey
  • Running mate: Carlos Rendo, Mayor of Woodcliff Lake^[84]
• Phil Murphy (Democratic), former United States Ambassador to Germany and former Goldman Sachs executive
  • Running mate: Sheila Oliver, State Assemblywoman and former Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly^[85]

Minor

The following third-party or independent candidates qualified for the ballot but did not raise enough money to qualify for state-sponsored debates:

• Gina Genovese (Reduce Property Taxes), former mayor of Long Hill
  • Running mate: None (Genovese initially named Democratic campaign operative Derel Stroud as a running mate, who would later withdraw. No replacement was selected.)^{[86] [87]}
• Seth Kaper-Dale (Green), pastor
  • Running mate: Lisa Durden, media commentator and former Essex County College adjunct communications professor^[88]
• Matt Riccardi (Constitution), Marine veteran
  • Running mate: None
• Pete Rohrman (Libertarian), retired U.S. Marine and nominee for Bergen County Freeholder in 2015 and 2016
  • Running mate: Karese Laguerre, dental hygienist
• Vincent Ross (We The People), electrician
  • Running mate: April A. Johnson

Debates

Dates	Location	Murphy	Guadagno	Link
October 10, 2017	Newark, New Jersey	Participant	Participant	align=left	Full debate - C-SPAN
October 18, 2017	Wayne, New Jersey	Participant	Participant	align=left	Full debate - C-SPAN

Fundraising

General election campaign finance activity through November 24, 2017
Candidate	Raised	Spent	Cash on hand
data-sort-value="Guadgno, Kim"	Kim Guadagno	data-sort-value=5748740	$5,748,740	data-sort-value=5616120	$5,616,120	data-sort-value=132621	$132,621
data-sort-value="Murphy, Phil"	Phil Murphy	data-sort-value=14715173	$14,715,173	data-sort-value=14517279	$14,517,279	data-sort-value=197895	$197,895
data-sort-value="Rohrman, Pete"	Pete Rohrman^[89]	data-sort-value=7765	$7,765	data-sort-value=6142	$6,142	data-sort-value=1623	$1,623
data-sort-value="Kaper-Dale, Seth"	Seth Kaper-Dale	data-sort-value=104321	$104,321	data-sort-value=114221	$114,221	data-sort-value=-2701	–$2,701
data-sort-value="Riccardi, Matthew"	Matt Riccardi	data-sort-value=0	N/A	data-sort-value=0	N/A	data-sort-value=0	N/A
data-sort-value="Genovese, Gina"	Gina Genovese	data-sort-value=52146	$52,146	data-sort-value=50558	$50,558	data-sort-value=0	$0
data-sort-value="Ross, Vincent"	Vincent Ross	data-sort-value=1	<$5,100	data-sort-value=1	<$5,100	data-sort-value=1	<$5,100
Source: New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission^[90]

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
align=left	The Cook Political Report^[91]		October 6, 2017
align=left	Sabato's Crystal Ball^[92]		October 13, 2017
align=left	Rothenberg Political Report^[93]		October 27, 2017

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Kim Guadagno (R)	Phil Murphy (D)	Other	Undecided
Change Research	November 1–5, 2017	2,040	± 2.8%	42%	align=center	58%	—	—
Quinnipiac University	October 30 – November 5, 2017	662	± 5.2%	41%	align=center	53%	—	5%
Rasmussen Reports	October 31 – November 1, 2017	800	± 4%	35%	align=center	50%	5%	10%
Gravis Marketing	October 30 – November 1, 2017	611	± 4%	32%	align=center	46%	7%^[94]	15%
Monmouth University	October 27–31, 2017	529	± 4.3%	39%	align=center	53%	2%	7%
Emerson College	October 26–28, 2017	540	± 4.2%	31%	align=center	47%	8%	14%
Suffolk University	October 25–28, 2017	500	± 4.4%	33%	align=center	49%	6%^[95]	12%
Quinnipiac University	October 19–24, 2017	1,049	± 4.2%	37%	align=center	57%	1%	5%
Stockton University	October 18–24, 2017	525	± 4.3%	37%	align=center	51%	4%	7%
FOX News	October 14–16, 2017	679 LV	± 3.5%	33%	align=center	47%	8%	11%
		804 RV	± 3.5%	31%	align=center	46%	9%	13%
Fairleigh Dickinson University	October 11–15, 2017	658	± 4.5%	32%	align=center	47%	5%	13%
Stockton University	October 4–12, 2017	585	± 4.1%	33%	align=center	51%	7%	7%
Monmouth University	September 28 – October 1, 2017	452	± 4.6%	37%	align=center	51%	2%	9%
Emerson College	September 28 – October 1, 2017	300	± 5.6%	35%	align=center	46%	7%^[96]	12%
Suffolk University	September 19–23, 2017	500	± 4.4%	25%	align=center	44%	6%^[97]	24%
FOX News	September 17–19, 2017	804	± 3.5%	29%	align=center	42%	9%^[98]	19%
Quinnipiac University	September 7–12, 2017	875	± 4.5%	33%	align=center	58%	2%	7%
Marist College	July 13–18, 2017	817	± 3.4%	33%	align=center	54%	1%	12%
Monmouth University	July 6–9, 2017	758	± 3.6%	26%	align=center	53%	6%	14%
National Research Inc. (R-Guadagno)	June 25–27, 2017	600	± 4.0%	28%	align=center	42%	9%	21%
Quinnipiac University	June 7–12, 2017	1,103	± 3.8%	26%	align=center	55%	3%	14%
Quinnipiac University	April 26 – May 1, 2017	1,209	± 2.8%	25%	align=center	50%	1%	21%
Quinnipiac University	March 9–13, 2017	1,098	± 3%	25%	align=center	47%	1%	25%
Quinnipiac University	January 26–30, 2017	1,240	± 2.8%	29%	align=center	45%	1%	22%

Results by county

County	Murphy %	Murphy votes	Guadagno %	Guadagno votes	Other %	Other votes
Atlantic	55.1%	36,952	42.5%	28,456	2.4%	1,607
Bergen	56.7%	129,265	41.6%	94,904	1.6%	3,760
Burlington	56.5%	70,453	41.8%	52,191	1.7%	2,070
Camden	67.2%	81,268	30.7%	37,113	2.1%	2,534
Cape May	44.8%	13,566	53.2%	16,118	2.0%	600
Cumberland	55.3%	15,686	41.8%	11,876	2.9%	828
Essex	79.6%	129,470	18.8%	30,633	1.6%	2,598
Gloucester	55.2%	42,349	42.3%	32,448	2.5%	1,898
Hudson	80.5%	88,271	17.5%	19,236	2.0%	2,170
Hunterdon	39.0%	17,697	58.9%	26,708	2.1%	945
Mercer	64.9%	59,992	33.1%	30,645	2.0%	1,846
Middlesex	57.2%	100,847	40.3%	70,940	2.5%	4,418
Monmouth	43.0%	79,432	55.0%	101,525	1.9%	3,572
Morris	45.1%	65,507	53.1%	77,203	1.8%	2,617
Ocean	35.8%	56,582	62.1%	98,135	2.1%	3,279
Passaic	60.1%	57,415	38.0%	36,230	1.9%	1,810
Salem	45.3%	7,814	50.1%	8,629	4.6%	794
Somerset	49.8%	45,935	47.9%	44,231	2.3%	2,107
Sussex	36.3%	15,431	59.7%	25,401	4.0%	1,717
Union	65.2%	79,113	32.6%	39,552	2.2%	2,594
Warren	35.4%	10,065	61.2%	17,409	3.4%	958

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

• Atlantic (largest municipality: Egg Harbor Township)
• Bergen (largest municipality: Hackensack)
• Burlington (largest municipality: Evesham)
• Camden (largest municipality: Cherry Hill)
• Cumberland (largest municipality: Vineland)
• Gloucester (largest municipality: Washington Township)
• Mercer (largest municipality: Hamilton Township)
• Middlesex (largest municipality: Edison)
• Passaic (largest municipality: Paterson)
• Somerset (largest municipality: Franklin Township)
• Union (largest municipality: Elizabeth)

Results by congressional district

Murphy won 9 of 12 congressional districts, including two held by Republicans.

District	Murphy	Guandagno	Representative
		64.5%	33.3%		Donald Norcross
		49.7%	47.6%		Frank LoBiondo
		46.7%	51.3%		Tom MacArthur
		42.1%	55.9%		Chris Smith
		48.2%	48.1%
		54.9%	43.0%		Frank Pallone
		45.5%	52.2%		Leonard Lance
		81.8%	16.9%		Albio Sires
		65.6%	31.6%		Bill Pascrell
		85.1%	13.3%		Donald Payne Jr.
		49.2%	48.5%		Rodney Frelinghuysen
		62.9%	35.2%		Bonnie Watson Coleman

^[99]

See also

• 2017 United States gubernatorial elections
• 2017 New Jersey elections

External links

Official campaign websites

• Phil Murphy (D) for Governor
• Kim Guadagno (R) for Governor
• Pete Rohrman (L) for Governor
• Seth Kaper-Dale (G) for Governor
• Matthew Riccardi (C) for Governor
• Gina Genovese (I) for Governor

Former campaign websites

• Jack Ciattarelli (R) for Governor
• Steven Rogers (R) for Governor
• Joseph Rudy Rullo (R) for Governor
• Hirsh Singh (R) for Governor
• Paul Binetti (D) for Governor
• Bill Brennan (D) for Governor
• Monica Brinson (D) for Governor
• Jim Johnson (D) for Governor
• Raymond Lesniak (D) for Governor
• Lisa McCormick (D) for Governor
• Titus Pierce (D) for Governor
• John Wisniewski (D) for Governor
• Mark Zinna (D) for Governor
• Jonathan Lancelot (I) for Governor

Notes and References

1. Web site: Total Number of Registered Voters, Ballots Cast, Ballots Rejected, Percentage of Ballots Cast and the Total Number of Election Districts in New Jersey. Secretary of State of New Jersey. November 29, 2017. November 29, 2017. December 1, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033627/http://nj.gov/state/elections/2017-results/2017-summary-registered-voters-general-election.pdf. dead.
2. Web site: Official List Candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor For November 2017 General Election . New Jersey Department of State . September 17, 2017.
3. News: Phil Murphy beats Kim Guadagno to succeed Christie as N.J. governor. Nj.com. November 8, 2017.
4. Web site: Symons. Michael. NJ's governor's race cost $79 million but had lowest turnout ever. 2021-10-24. New Jersey 101.5. en.
5. Web site: Wildstein . David . 2021-07-22 . Kim Guadagno, Christie's Lt. Governor, leaves Republican Party . 2024-03-03 . New Jersey Globe . en-US.
6. Web site: Cervenka . Susanne . Kim Guadagno says goodbye to GOP. Ongoing rift with Shaun Golden cited . 2024-05-15 . Asbury Park Press . en-US.
7. News: Polls are open in N.J. primary elections today. June 2017. NJ.com. October 16, 2017.
8. Web site: New Jersey gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2017 - Ballotpedia. Ballotpedia.org. January 13, 2017.
9. Web site: New Jersey Primary Elections at a Glance. League of Women Voters of New Jersey. January 13, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170116151326/http://lwvnj.org/images/voting/primaryelectionguide-2016.pdf. January 16, 2017. dead.
10. News: Johnson . Brett . Meet the Democrats and Republicans in this year's race to succeed Christie as N.J. governor . The Star-Ledger . April 4, 2017 . April 20, 2017.
11. News: Brent Johnson and Samantha Marcus . N.J.'s governor candidates just disclosed their sources of income. Here they are. . The Star-Ledger . April 18, 2017 . 19 April 2017.
12. Web site: See the dates for the N.J. governor primary debates. Nj.com. April 19, 2017. May 4, 2017.
13. Web site: New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission. Elec.state.nj.us. May 4, 2017. April 4, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170404213415/http://www.elec.state.nj.us/publicinformation/gub_man_Primary2017.htm. dead.
14. Web site: The 10 states contributing the most to N.J. gubernatorial hopefuls. NJ.com. May 22, 2017. October 16, 2017.
15. Web site: How to watch first N.J. governor race debates tonight. May 2017. NJ.com. October 16, 2017.
16. Web site: GOP governor candidates argue over N.J. property taxes in final debate. May 2017. NJ.com. October 16, 2017.
17. Web site: New Jersey Gubernatorial Democratic Primary Debate - Video - NJTV News. NJTVOnline.org. October 16, 2017.
18. Web site: Johnson. Brent. Battle to succeed Christie heats up tonight. Here's what you need to know. NJ.com. May 9, 2017. May 9, 2017.
19. Web site: Johnson. Brent. N.J. governor candidate loses fight for spot in Republican debates. NJ.com. May 9, 2017. May 4, 2017.
20. Web site: Arco. Matt. N.J. Supreme Court rejects governor candidate's fight for spot in Republican debates. NJ.com. May 13, 2017. May 9, 2017.
21. Web site: Ciattarelli set to become first Republican to enter 2017 N.J. governor's race. NJ.com. Johnson. Brent. September 29, 2016. September 30, 2016.
22. Web site: Friedman. Matt. Guadagno plans to file paperwork for gov run today, will formally announce Tuesday. PoliticoNewJersey. January 13, 2017. January 12, 2017.
23. Web site: Friedman. Matt. Nutley official kicks off campaign for governor with lofty promises. PoliticoNew Jersey. December 8, 2016. December 8, 2016.
24. Web site: Little-Known GOP Candidate Rullo Hopes to Nab Governorship in 2017. The New York Observer. Alfaro. Alyana. November 23, 2015. January 3, 2016.
25. Web site: Larsen. Erik. Ocean County Republicans to endorse gubernatorial candidate. Asbury Park Press. February 23, 2017. February 22, 2017.
26. Web site: Heinis. John. Calling Democratic party broken, Hoboken's Wefer making Republican gov run. Hudson County View. February 28, 2017. February 24, 2017.
27. Web site: Heinis. John. Citing fundraising obstacles, Hoboken's Wefer won't run for gov after all. Hudson County View. March 14, 2017. March 13, 2017.
28. Web site: Johnson. Brent. Bramnick says he's not running for N.J. governor. NJ.com . January 3, 2017. January 3, 2017.
29. Web site: Meet the Super Bowl champ likely to run for N.J. governor. nj.com. June 1, 2015. July 27, 2016. Brent. Johnson.
30. Web site: Pizarro. Max. Sources: Brown to get through November election – then run for governor. The New York Observer. August 5, 2014. August 19, 2016.
31. Web site: Johnson. Brent. NFL coach/mayor says he won't run for N.J. governor. NJ.com. January 13, 2017. January 12, 2017.
32. Web site: Alyana Alfaro . Doherty Will Not Run For Governor, Will Run for Re-Election to NJ Senate . Observer . November 11, 2016 . November 11, 2016.
33. Web site: Alyana Alfaro . 5 Possible Republican Candidates for Governor in 2017 | Observer . Politickernj.com . October 22, 2015 . October 11, 2016.
34. Web site: Unofficial List, Candidates for State Senate For PRIMARY ELECTION 06/06/2017 Election. Secretary of State of New Jersey. April 2, 2017. March 31, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170403194905/http://nj.gov/state/elections/2017-results/2017-unofficial-primary-candidates-state-senate-0331b.pdf. April 3, 2017. dead.
35. Web site: Max Pizarro . Veteran Senator O'Toole of Essex Will Not Pursue Reelection in 2017 | Observer . Politickernj.com . January 15, 2016 . October 11, 2016.
36. Web site: Joe Piscopo decides he won't run as a Republican in N.J. governor's race. Brodesser-Akner, Claude. NJ.com. March 18, 2017. March 19, 2017.
37. Web site: News Release. New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission. June 28, 2017. June 28, 2017. July 21, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170721210514/http://www.elec.state.nj.us/pdffiles/press_releases/pr_2017/pr_06282017.pdf. dead.
38. Dana Wefer 2%, "Someone else" 12%
39. Joe Piscopo 18%, "Someone else" 1%
40. Joe Piscopo 12%, "Someone else" 13%
41. Web site: Man Who Filed Citizen Complaint Against Chris Christie in George Washington Bridge Case Announces Run for Governor. WNBC. December 6, 2016. December 5, 2016.
42. Web site: Pizarro. Max. Johnson Running for Governor of New Jersey as a Democrat. PolitickerNJ. November 1, 2016. October 31, 2016.
43. Web site: State Sen. Ray Lesniak Says He Will Run For New Jersey Governor. CBS New York. January 5, 2017. January 5, 2017.
44. News: Phil Murphy officially running for governor of N.J.. NJ.com. Brodesser-Akner. Claude. Johnson. Brent. May 16, 2016. May 16, 2016.
45. Web site: Bridgegate crusader Wisniewski announces 2017 run for governor. Arco, Matt. NJ.com. November 15, 2016. December 9, 2016.
46. Web site: Racioppi. Dustin. Pugliese. Nicholas. Gubernatorial candidates start 2017 sparring in primary race. NorthJersey.com. January 30, 2017. January 6, 2017.
47. Web site: Binetti kicks off campaign. NJToday.net. March 12, 2017. March 10, 2017. March 10, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170310162116/http://njtoday.net/2017/03/10/binetti-kicks-off-campaign/. dead.
48. Web site: McDonald. Terrence T.. Some light sparring for Democrats seeking to succeed Christie. The Jersey Journal. March 14, 2017. March 13, 2017.
49. Web site: Racioppi. Dustin. Governor's race 2017: Humor on deadline. NorthJersey.com. April 7, 2017. April 7, 2017.
50. Web site: Symons. Michael. Guy who tried to get Christie prosecuted for Bridgegate — I'm running for governor. WKXW. December 23, 2016. December 5, 2016.
51. Web site: Arco. Matt. Game on: Opening Day for N.J. election season produces 11 candidates for governor. NJ.com. April 4, 2017. April 3, 2017.
52. Web site: Johnson. Brent. Priest turned advocate joins 2017 race for N.J. governor. NJ.com . December 9, 2016. December 8, 2016.
53. Web site: Hoatson. Robert. Robert Hoatson on Facebook. Facebook. March 19, 2017. March 9, 2017.
54. Web site: Hoatson drops out of race. Essex News Daily. March 25, 2017. March 9, 2017. March 27, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170327075855/http://essexnewsdaily.com/news/westorange/32851. dead.
55. Web site: Despite what you've heard New Jersey's 2017 governor's race is not over. NJ Spotlight. October 27, 2016. March 12, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170313125359/http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/new-jersey-spotlight/98376-despite-what-you-heard-new-jerseys-2017-governors-race-is-not-over-john-wisniewski-phil-murphy-. March 13, 2017. dead.
56. Web site: Racioppi. Dustin. 17 faces you may see in NJ Governor race. NorthJersey.com. December 14, 2016. December 10, 2016.
57. Web site: Spadea. Bill. Why a political newcomer wants to be your governor in 2017 (Listen). WKXW. December 14, 2016. November 13, 2015.
58. Web site: Friedman. Matt. Booker says no to 2017 gov run as N.J. Democrats talk him up as future president. PoliticoNew Jersey. July 29, 2016. July 28, 2016.
59. Web site: Arco. Matt. Tom Byrne, son of former governor, eyeing gubernatorial bid, report says. NJ.com. NJ Advance Media. August 20, 2016. August 2, 2016.
60. Web site: Gubernatorial politics begins. . Stile. Charles. July 26, 2016. August 4, 2016.
61. Web site: Mark Bonamo . Dems 2017: Codey, Lesniak both show ambition to be N.J. governor | Observer . Politickernj.com . January 15, 2015 . October 11, 2016.
62. Web site: Max Pizarro . DiVincenzo Says He's 'Definitely Considering' Guv Run | Observer . Politickernj.com . March 28, 2016 . October 11, 2016.
63. Web site: Johnson. Brent. Fulop won't run for N.J. governor, a 'game-changer' for 2017 race to succeed Christie. NJ.com . September 28, 2016. September 28, 2016.
64. Web site: Rush Holt for N.J. governor? He's not ruling it out: The Auditor . NJ.com . September 7, 2014 . October 11, 2016.
65. Web site: Max Pizarro . Michael Murphy Not Running for Governor in 2017 | Observer . Politickernj.com . May 31, 2016 . October 11, 2016.
66. Web site: Montclair deputy mayor to explore gubernatorial bid - Politics . NorthJersey.com . June 18, 2014 . October 11, 2016.
67. Web site: Katzban. Nicholas. Montclair Township Councilmember calls off exploration of 2017 New Jersey governor's race. NorthJersey.com. December 23, 2016. October 13, 2016. December 24, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161224094848/http://archive.northjersey.com/community-news/town-government/montclair-township-councilmember-calls-off-exploration-of-2017-new-jersey-governor-s-race-1.1676523. dead.
68. Web site: Could she be New Jersey's next governor? . NJ.com . February 15, 2016 . October 11, 2016.
69. Web site: Unofficial List, Candidates for General Assembly For PRIMARY ELECTION 06/06/2017. Secretary of State of New Jersey. April 2, 2017. March 31, 2017. October 17, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171017094356/http://nj.gov/state/elections/2017-results/2017-official-primary-candidates-general-assembly-0602.pdf. dead.
70. Web site: Johnson. Brent. Sweeney says he won't run for N.J. governor. NJ.com . October 6, 2016. October 6, 2016.
71. Lisa McCormick 2%, Monica Brinson 1%, Bob Hoatson 1%, Titus Pierce 0%, "Someone else" 6%
72. Web site: Muscavage. Nick. Former Long Hill mayor announces bid for governor. myCentralJersey.com. April 20, 2017. April 19, 2017.
73. Web site: Pizarro. Max. Highland Park Pastor Jumps into 2017 NJ Governor Race for Green Party. PolitickerNJ. November 1, 2016. October 31, 2016.
74. News: Shipkowski. Bruce. Governor's race has more than just major party candidates. Associated Press. July 22, 2017. July 22, 2017.
75. Web site: Hubbard. Daniel. Libertarian Party Nominates Ramsey Man For Governor. Patch Media. March 15, 2017. March 15, 2017.
76. Web site: Johnson. Brent. Meet your Libertarian candidate for N.J. governor. NJ.com. March 16, 2017. March 15, 2017.
77. Web site: NBToday Interviews Governor Candidate Vincent Ross. New Brunswick Today. November 6, 2017. November 7, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171107030629/http://newbrunswicktoday.com/video/nbtoday-interviews-governor-candidate-vincent-ross. dead.
78. Web site: Official List, Candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor For November 2017 General Election. Secretary of State of New Jersey. September 17, 2017. August 11, 2017. September 17, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170917171852/http://www.nj.gov/state/elections/2017-results/2017-official-general-candidates-governor.pdf. dead.
79. Web site: Arco. Matt. Johnson. Brent. 2017: The year that will be in N.J. politics. NJ.com. January 6, 2017. January 4, 2017.
80. Web site: NJ Governor's Race 2017: Feb 27 – March 5. Observer. March 25, 2017. March 6, 2017.
81. Web site: Brodesser-Akner. Claude. Joe Piscopo will not run for N.J. governor, plans to endorse Guadagno. NJ.com. May 3, 2017. May 3, 2017.
82. Web site: Winger. Richard. New Jersey Has Fewer Gubernatorial Candidates on General Election Ballot This Year Than Any Year Since 1989. Ballot Access News. July 15, 2017. June 7, 2017.
83. Web site: Johnson. Brent. We now know who will duke it out in gubernatorial debate. NJ.com. October 2, 2017. September 5, 2017.
84. News: Guadagno picks Cuban-born mayor as her lt. governor candidate. July 27, 2017. Associated Press. July 27, 2017.
85. News: Phil Murphy picks Sheila Oliver as running mate. July 26, 2017. Associated Press. July 26, 2017.
86. Web site: Pizarro. Max. Independent Guv Candidate Genovese to Run with Veteran Operative Derel Stroud. Insider NJ. July 26, 2017. July 25, 2017.
87. Web site: Hill. Michael. Independent Gina Genovese's number one issue is property taxes. NJTV. October 21, 2017. October 18, 2017.
88. Web site: Yi. Karen. You'll never guess what the professor fired for comments on Fox News is doing now. NJ.com. July 26, 2017. July 25, 2017.
89. Campaign finance activity through October 24, 2017 only
90. Web site: News Release. New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission. November 29, 2017. November 29, 2017. December 1, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033619/http://www.elec.state.nj.us/pdffiles/press_releases/pr_2017/pr_11292017.pdf. dead.
91. Web site: 2017-18 Governor Race ratings. The Cook Political Report. en.
92. Web site: Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball » New Jersey Democrats: Growing Certainty at the Ballot Box. centerforpolitics.org.
93. Web site: Gubernatorial Ratings Inside Elections . www.insideelections.com.
94. Gina Genovese (I) 4%, Seth Kaper-Dale (G) 3%
95. Gina Genovese (I) 2%, Seth Kaper-Dale (G) 1%, Matt Riccardi (C) 1%, Pete Rohrman (L) 1%, Vincent Ross (I) 1%
96. Gina Genovese (I) 2%, "Someone else" 5%
97. Gina Genovese (I) 2%, Pete Rohrman (L) 2%, Seth Kaper-Dale (G) 1%, Vincent Ross (I) 1%, Matt Riccardi (C) <1%
98. Gina Genovese (I) 4%, Seth Kaper-Dale (G) 2%, Pete Rohrman (L) 1%, Other 2%
99. News: Fox. Joey. November 23, 2021. Ciattarelli won all five of New Jersey's competitive congressional districts. New Jersey Globe. live. November 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211124004103/https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/ciattarelli-won-all-five-of-new-jerseys-competitive-congressional-districts/. November 24, 2021.