Watch CBS News

2021 NJ Election: Excitement In Air As New Jersey Voters Head To Polls To Elect Governor

CHERRY HILL, N.J. (CBS) -- New Jersey voters are headed to the polls Tuesday to elect their next governor, and there's a lot of excitement in the air. The incumbent, Democrat Gov. Phil Murphy, kicked off his Election Day tour of the Garden State in Cherry Hill.

CBS Philly will have continuing coverage online, on-air, and streaming on CBSN Philly on Election Night. For race results right to your phone, click here to download the CBS Philly app.

Murphy greeted a crowd of supporters Tuesday morning outside the Camden County Democratic Committee headquarters. Murphy is seeking a second term and says his policies -- like the millionaire's tax passed last year -- have helped the working and middle class.

"He supports unions, he supports my family so I support him," a Murphy supporter from Mt. Laurel said.

Murphy faces former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, who is considered a moderate Republican. He stopped by Randazzo Bakery in his hometown of Raritan, North Jersey on Tuesday. He's previously attacked Murphy over both property taxes and his coronavirus restrictions, but Tuesday, both candidates are urging voters to turn out and say they're feeling good about the election.

"To see this crowd as fired up as they are, it's a great way to start the day. I take nothing for granted, but this gives me a kick in my step for sure," Murphy said.

LIVE RESULTS: New Jersey 2021 Gubernatorial Election

"We did plan our work and we did work our plan," Ciattarelli said. "I think we're right where we need to be, I really do. I feel that this is a dead heat just as it always has been over the past 40 years."

Ciattarelli's supporters say Trenton needs a fresh face in office.

"We need a change, yes," Raffeline Diciurcio said.

"You got to give him a chance," Louis Diciurcio said.

2021 Election Guide: What You Need To Know To Vote In Pennsylvania, New Jersey

"I feel this is a dead heat like it's always been over the last 40 years," Ciattarelli said.

If Murphy wins, he'd be the first incumbent Democrat governor to be re-elected in New Jersey in more than 40 years, since 1977.

"I promise you if we have success today, I will not let you down," Murphy said.

Poll workers at Kingsway Church say voter turnout has been good so far.

Both candidates need voters to show up. One poll from Rutgers-Eagleton released on Monday shows Murphy leads his Republican challenger by eight percentage points.

This is also the first year of early in-person voting in New Jersey.

State officials say more than 207,000 voters cast ballots during a nine-day window before this election day.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.