The two sparred over energy prices during the September debate, as Ciattarelli ripped Gov. Phil Murphy’s (D-NJ) offshore wind energy policies, while Sherrill blamed the Trump administration’s funding cuts and utility companies for high costs. The affordability debate in New Jersey extends far beyond energy policies, seeping into housing costs and healthcare.<\/p>\n

Republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli, left, shakes hands with Democratic nominee Mikie Sherrill, right, before a gubernatorial debate on Sept. 21, 2025, in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. (AP Photo\/Noah K. Murray)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The government shutdown could also pervade the stage on Wednesday, as the two candidates have traded barbs online over which party is responsible for the government shutdown that froze funds for the $16 million “Gateway” Hudson Tunnel Project<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Likewise, the two candidates could continue their push-and-pull over the National Archives’s release of Sherrill’s unredacted military records<\/a> to a Ciattarelli ally or over a 30-year-old Naval Academy cheating scandal<\/a>, in which Sherrill, a Naval Academy student at the time, did not cheat but also did not report the names of her classmates who did.<\/p>\n

A spokesperson for the Ciattarelli campaign previewed his debate plans in a statement to the Washington Examiner<\/em>.<\/p>\n

“Jack will continue to highlight his affordability agenda and the positive changes he will bring to Trenton, while we expect his opponent, Mikie Sherrill, will continue to avoid answering questions directly, especially when it comes to her specific plans on property taxes, lowering utility rates, or why she won’t release her disciplinary records from the Naval Academy that would explain what she was punished for regarding her involvement in [the] cover-up of the largest honor code violation in the academy&rsquo<\/a>;s history,” the Ciatterelli spokesperson said.<\/p>\n

Sherrill’s campaign did not respond to the Washington Examiner’s<\/em> requests for comment.<\/p>\n

The congresswoman has consistently led Ciattarelli in head-to-head polls throughout the race, but a late-September Emerson College poll<\/a> showed the two candidates tied at 43%.<\/p>\n