In an editorial, Knitty Gritty JC organizing committee member Courtney Walker gives her take on how Hudson County can be the difference maker in keeping New Jersey blue in the November 4th gubernatorial contest.
The stage is set for New Jersey’s governor’s race this fall – and while many assume it’s safely blue and Mikie Sherrill is a lock, that confidence could backfire if turnout stays low.
Remember election night four years ago? Governor Murphy was supposed to coast to victory – but instead, we were up late refreshing results, watching a nail-biter no one expected.
That close race wasn’t a fluke. Last year, New Jersey made national headlines for what many called a “shift to the right.” Hudson County even got a special mention on national news.
But if you look closely at the data, you can see a shift toward not voting is part of the story.
As I wrote back in November, Hudson County consistently ranks last in voter turnout during governor elections. That should be deeply concerning to Democrats. It’s also an opportunity for Hudson County and Jersey City to show we can’t be ignored in statewide politics.
And we shouldn’t be ignored! We’re one of the largest cities in New Jersey and one of its most diverse. We rely on public transit, feel the pain of rising costs, and need leaders in Trenton who understand what we’re facing.
But if we don’t show up to vote, they’ll we’re not effectively using our power to make them show up for us.
Our voices matter to make smart and informed decisions in New Jersey. Democrats need us to get their agenda done, and we need to remind them just how much by showing up in November.
Let’s look at the numbers from the 2021 governor’s race:
● Statewide, Murphy won with 51% versus Ciattarelli’s 47% – a margin of just over 84,000 votes.
● In Hudson County, Murphy dominated with 70% of the vote to Ciattarelli’s 24%, a margin of more than 57,000 votes.
Now here’s the kicker: without Hudson County’s votes, Murphy’s statewide margin would have shrunk to just one percentage point – making a narrow race even tighter.
In a state where Democrats are supposed to have a solid advantage, that kind of drop is a warning sign.
Hudson didn’t just help Murphy win – we helped him win comfortably. And that margin of comfort can mean everything when it comes to national perception, governing momentum, and how seriously state leaders take our concerns.
In 2025, that margin could be the difference between winning and losing – not just padding.
Here’s the opportunity:
Despite being one of New Jersey’s most reliably Democratic counties, Hudson consistently has the worst turnout in the state. What if we simply met the statewide average?
● At 40% turnout (the state average), using the same vote distribution, Murphy’s margin would have increased by nearly 30,000 votes, boosting his lead from 3.2% to 3.8%.
● At 55% turnout (Hudson’s turnout in the 2024 presidential primary), he would have gained an additional 70,000 votes, pushing the margin to 4.8%.
● At 65% turnout (the 2024 statewide presidential average), Murphy’s lead would have grown by over 100,000 votes, raising the margin to 5.4%.
Now I realize 65% voter turnout in a governor election for any county – not just Hudson – is a feat by itself.
But if we can just commit to being better, and trying to be more in the middle of the pack for the state rather than dragging everyone down, we can make a real difference in who holds the governor seat come January 2026.
If this race comes down to just a few points, and it might, we could be the difference between winning and losing. That means we don’t just matter – we’re essential.
Here’s what Knitty Gritty is doing about it:
Knitty Gritty is excited to get involved and make a difference – step by step. This year, we’re planning to:
● Support voter registration efforts
● Volunteer with the Sherrill campaign to raise awareness in Hudson County and get out the vote
● Build community with each other so we can keep learning and staying connected
We’re starting where we can and inviting others to join us in whatever way feels right – whether that’s showing up, spreading the word, or just learning more. There’s room for everyone here!
If you’re interested in getting involved, please reach out to us at knittygrittyjc@gmail.com – let’s work to build real community power!
Courtney Walker is an organizing committee member of the Knitty Gritty JC, a women-led pro democracy group in Jersey City.
Privileged boomer white women supporting one of their own. Hudson County is diverse and working class not Karen Central. Dems have had decades to help and yet they expect more of the same. Vote for change and vote for the candidate who actually had a real job. Jack 4 NJ
What will Sherrill do differently than Phil Murphy except may be vacation in New Jersey and not Italy? Her capital gains from stock trading probably can’t buy a villa in Murphy’s neighborhood.
Hudson County should be very proud of electing not one but two Melendezes.
She is faced with a bit of a dilemma; Keep the urban Mayors happy while not antagonizing the suburban swing voters who ultimately decide elections. Hudson County brings the added burden of being ethically challenged- the rest of the state knows that based on Fulops results.