Democrat Mikie Sherrill has been elected governor of New Jersey, defeating Republican Jack Ciattarelli, ABC News projects. The win secures Democrats a third consecutive term in the governor’s office — a milestone the party hasn’t achieved in the state since the 1960s.

Sherrill, a four-term congresswoman, ran heavily on her résumé as a Navy helicopter pilot and former federal prosecutor, casting herself as a defender of democratic norms and a counterweight to President Donald Trump.

Addressing cheering supporters at her victory rally, Sherrill said New Jersey voters had chosen a path rooted in “liberty, stability, and the rule of law.”

“We here in New Jersey are bound to fight for a different future for our children,” she said. “We see how important liberty is. We know no one in our state is safe when our neighbors are targeted or when the law and the Constitution are ignored.”

Her remarks drew loud boos when she referenced several recent actions taken by the Trump administration.

Sherrill emphasized that freedoms must be paired with economic opportunity.

“Liberty alone is not enough if the government makes it impossible for you to feed your family, get an education, or find a good job,” she said. “Right now, all of that feels at risk. Governors have never mattered more — and I am determined to build prosperity for every New Jerseyan.”

Sherrill’s victory follows two terms under Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, who endorsed her as his successor. Her win underscores New Jersey’s increasingly blue tilt even as national political tensions heighten ahead of the 2026 midterms.