Careful Campaigns, Big Debates: Breaking Down NJ's Governor’s Race with Eagleton's Kristoffer Shields

EJB Talks: Rutgers Bloustein School Experts

With just a month until New Jersey’s gubernatorial election, Dean Stuart Shapiro sits down with Kristoffer Shields, Director of Eagleton Institute’s Center on the American Governor, for a special pre-gubernatorial debate episode of EJB Talks. They discuss how the race between Mikie Sherrill (D) and Jack Ciattarelli (R) has so far unfolded cautiously, the slowly-growing appearance of negative ads as the election cycle has progressed, and the challenges both candidates face in breaking through the noisy national news cycle.

Professor Shields emphasizes that, regardless of the election outcome, the state budget and the continued affordability of living in New Jersey will be central issues for the next governor. He explains that generally debates are most likely to have an electoral impact if they produce a ‘memorable moment’ that breaks into the news cycle. Professor Shields also briefly touches on turnout patterns, the influence of independent voters, and the broader national implications observers often draw from New Jersey’s (and Virginia's) elections.

Be sure to check your local listings to catch New Jersey’s second (and final) gubernatorial debate! The debate is hosted by the Bloustein School, ABC7/WABC-TV New York, 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia and New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, on Wednesday, Oct. 8 (7:00-8:00 p.m. ET). It will broadcast live on ABC7/WABC-TV New York, 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia, and across the stations’ streaming and digital platforms. The event is closed to the public.