Mikie Sherrill will be the next governor of New Jersey. The Associated Press called the race just after 9:20 p.m.

The four-time Democratic congressmember from Montclair defeated Republican Jack Ciattarelli in a closely-watched election that most experts agree sets the tone for next year’s congressional midterms.

This was Sherrill’s first attempt at the highest office in the Garden State. Ciattarelli has now tried and failed to become the state’s governor three times.

Votes are still being counted, but election night tabulations show Sherrill leading Ciattarelli with over 56% of the vote.

A crowd of Sherrill’s supporters reacted with jubilation when the results were announced at Sherrill’s election night event at the Hilton hotel in East Brunswick, NJ.

“Democrats are energized, and the

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