New Jersey voters are casting their ballots today in a high-stakes primary election that will determine the nominees for governor and dozens of state legislative seats, with the race to replace outgoing Democratic Governor Phil Murphy drawing national attention.

On the Democratic side, the race for governor features a packed field of high-profile contenders, including U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Mikie Sherrill, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, New Jersey Education Association President and former Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller, and former state Senate President Steve Sweeney.

Immigration policy has emerged as a central issue in the campaign. Last month, federal prosecutors dropped a trespassing charge against Baraka, who was arrested during a protest outside a new federal immigration detention center—an incident that has energized progressive voters and drawn criticism from some conservatives.

The Republican primary sees a familiar name atop the ballot: former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, making his third bid for the governorship after a strong showing in 2021, when he came within three points of unseating Murphy. Also in the running are state Senator Jon Bramnick, former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac, radio personality Bill Spadea, and general contractor Justin Barbera.

Former President Donald Trump has loomed large over the GOP contest. He endorsed Ciattarelli in May and appeared at a virtual campaign event on Monday night—despite past criticism from Ciattarelli, who in 2015 publicly questioned Trump’s fitness for office. Bramnick, a vocal Trump critic, remains the only candidate in the Republican field distancing himself from the former president.

Further down the ballot, voters are also selecting nominees for all 80 seats in the New Jersey General Assembly. While Democrats currently hold a commanding majority in the chamber, 25 districts have competitive primaries this year. Voters can choose up to two candidates per district, with the top two vote-getters securing nominations.

Although state Senate seats are not up for election until 2027, a special Senate primary is being held in District 35, which covers parts of Bergen and Passaic counties. Both the Democratic and Republican primaries there are uncontested.

Polling stations across New Jersey opened this morning and will remain open until 8 p.m. Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, one of the Democratic gubernatorial frontrunners, is expected to vote early in the day.