Electricity costs jolt New Jersey's race for governor — and they're coming for the midterms

Soaring electricity costs have become a major issue in this year’s race for governor in New Jersey — previewing a potential national battle over energy prices that could put both parties on defense in next year’s midterm elections

Soaring electricity costs have become a major issue in this year’s race for governor in New Jersey — previewing a potential national battle over energy prices that could put both parties on defense in next year’s midterm elections.

Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli have both focused on the issue in their opening salvos on the airwaves, a sign that surging electric bills are top of mind for New Jersey voters less than two months before Election Day.

“Day 1 as governor, I’m declaring a state of emergency on utility costs using emergency powers to end these rate hikes and drive down your bills,” said Sherrill, a Navy veteran, while piloting a helicopter in her first TV ad of the general election.

Ciattarelli, a former state legislator, pledged in his first TV ad of the fall to “lower electricity bills, cut and cap property taxes, and keep our community safe.”

And Restore NJ, an outside group backed by the Republican Governors Association also launched a TV ad alleging that Sherrill “supports the failed energy plan that tripled our electric bills this summer.”