New Jersey’s first Gubernatorial Debate of 2021 is almost here. Incumbent Democratic Governor Phil Murphy and Republican Challenger and former State Assembly member and small business founder Jack Ciattarelli will square off in their first debate of the campaign this Tuesday, September 28 at 7pm at NJPAC in Newark.
Governor Murphy, who was elected in 2017 after two terms of Republican Chris Christie, is seeking to become the first Democrat to win reelection in New Jersey in more than four decades.
Governor Murphy has signed a number of measures that then-Governor Christie blocked, including legalizing recreational marijuana, higher taxes on the wealthy and a phased-in $15 minimum wage. Murphy also signed tighter gun control bills and measures to expand paid sick leave for workers.
Ciattarelli, who has an accounting background, is running in part on a platform that Governor Murphy’s policies have made the state less affordable, especially when it comes to high tax rates. Ciattarelli has also criticized Governor Murphy’s handling of the COVID-19 outbreak, particularly in nursing homes, which were hit hard early on in the pandemic.
You can watch the debate live at 7pm on ABC7 in New York and 6ABC in Philadelphia. The debate is streaming live on NJ.com and can be heard on WHYY and WCTC.
The debate's media partners, including WBGO, want to know what questions you have of the candidates. When posting on social media, you can use the hashtag #NJGovDebate.
A second gubernatorial debate is set for 8 p.m. on October 12 at Rowan University in Glassboro.
Lieutenant Governor Shelia Oliver, a Democrat, and Republican Diane Allen will debate 7 p.m. October 5 at Rider University in Lawrenceville.
The New Jersey general election is November 2.
