Immigration divides New Jersey Democrats in an early test for the party
The New Jersey governor’s race is providing an early test for Democrats trying to navigate the thorny issues of immigration and border security following Donald Trump’s victory, and those issues are already dividing the party's candidates.
The New Jersey governor’s race is providing an early test for Democrats trying to navigate the thorny issues of immigration and border security following Donald Trump’s victory, and those issues are already dividing the party's candidates.
“Those national issues are going to loom large in this gubernatorial race,” N.J. Democratic Party Chairman LeRoy Jones said. “It already has.”
A crowded field of Democrats, including mayors, members of Congress and a former state Senate leader, are competing to replace the term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, and the primary could be an early testing ground for the party as it regroups from the 2024 election. Trump lost New Jersey by 6 points, but saw a 10-point swing in his direction compared to 2020, the second-largest of any state in the country.
When six of the top Democratic candidates met for a debate last week, immigration emerged as a clear dividing line between the progressive and more moderate hopefuls.
“I would say we have to be honest up here, No. 1. You can’t say you support immigrants in New Jersey but vote for the Laken Riley Act,” Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said — essentially calling out Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer, though not by name, for supporting the measure, which requires U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain undocumented immigrants arrested or convicted of various crimes.
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