A competitive governor's race in New Jersey is heating up as Election Day approaches. Democratic candidate Rep. Mikie Sherrill holds a narrow lead over Republican Jack Ciattarelli, who is making his third attempt to win the governor's mansion. According to a recent Quinnipiac poll, Sherrill leads Ciattarelli by 8 points, but the race remains close, with Ciattarelli trailing by single digits.

Former President Barack Obama campaigned for Sherrill over the weekend, emphasizing her qualities as a leader. "Mikie's integrity, grit, and commitment to service are what we need right now in our leaders. Mikie Sherrill is the right choice for your next governor," Obama stated in an ad endorsing her.

In response, Ciattarelli has garnered support from President Donald Trump, who held a tele-rally with him. Trump criticized Sherrill on social media, claiming that voting for Democrats leads to high crime and other societal issues. Sherrill did not respond to Trump's comments.

As the election nears, both candidates are making final pushes to mobilize voters. Sherrill is expected to vote at Hillside Elementary School in Montclair, while Ciattarelli participated in early voting on Friday. Ciattarelli emphasized the importance of voter turnout during a rally in Raritan, stating, "We need turnout tomorrow, and if the turnout is anything like it was on Election Day back in 2021, I'll tell you we're in good shape."

Sherrill concluded her campaign with a rally in Montclair, urging voters to protect their families and future. "As we see an attack on all the things we love, we know that here in New Jersey we are drawing a line... We're fighting for our families, we're fighting for our kids, we're fighting for opportunity," she said.

The race has not been without controversy. In September, a technician's error at The National Archives led to the release of Sherrill's unredacted military records, including her Social Security number. Sherrill's campaign accused Trump of attempting to "weaponize" government agencies against political opponents.

Sherrill also revealed that she was not allowed to walk at her Naval Academy graduation due to her failure to report on classmates involved in a 1994 cheating scandal, although she was not accused of cheating. Ciattarelli has called for her to release more documents related to this issue.

During their final debate, Sherrill accused Ciattarelli's former medical publishing company of downplaying the dangers of opioids. Ciattarelli dismissed her claims as a "desperate campaign on behalf of a desperate candidate" and threatened legal action.

Despite the controversies, Democrats remain optimistic about their chances in the election, viewing it as an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to win ahead of the contentious midterm elections next year. Polls in New Jersey open at 6 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on Election Day, making it one of two gubernatorial elections taking place on Tuesday.