Virginia and New Jersey Gubernatorial Elections Amid Federal Shutdown

On November 4, 2025, voters in Virginia and New Jersey cast their ballots in gubernatorial elections held against the backdrop of a prolonged federal government shutdown. The shutdown, which began on October 1, 2025, resulted from partisan disagreements over federal spending levels, foreign aid rescissions, and health insurance subsidies. This impasse led to the furlough of approximately 900,000 federal employees and left another 2 million working without pay, significantly impacting states with substantial federal workforces.

In Virginia, where about 175,000 residents are employed by the federal government, the economic repercussions of the shutdown became a central issue in the gubernatorial race. Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger, a former U.S. Representative from Virginia's 7th district and ex-CIA officer, emphasized the need for economic stability and criticized the federal government's handling of the shutdown. Her opponent, Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, the incumbent Lieutenant Governor, focused on traditional energy sources and expressed skepticism about the reliability of solar and wind energy.

This election was historic as it marked the first time both major party nominees for Virginia governor were female. Additionally, if elected, Earle-Sears would become the first Jamaican-born female governor in U.S. history. Both candidates secured their party nominations unopposed. The winner will be sworn in as the 75th governor of Virginia on January 17, 2026.

In New Jersey, with approximately 23,000 federal workers, the shutdown's effects were also significant. Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill, a U.S. Representative from New Jersey's 11th district and former Navy pilot, proposed freezing rates and advancing clean power development. Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli, a former state assemblyman and the Republican nominee for governor in 2021, criticized Democratic policies for high utility bills and opposed wind energy projects.

The in-person early voting period in New Jersey ran from October 25 to November 2, 2025. Primary elections were held on June 10, 2025, with Sherrill winning the Democratic nomination and Ciattarelli securing the Republican nomination. The winner will be sworn in as the next governor on January 20, 2026, succeeding Democratic incumbent Phil Murphy, who is term-limited.

The intersection of the federal shutdown and these state elections provided a unique lens through which voters assessed both state and national leadership during a period of economic uncertainty. The economic impact of the shutdown, particularly in states with significant federal employment, underscored the interconnectedness of federal and state economies. Additionally, the historic nature of the Virginia gubernatorial race highlighted the evolving landscape of political representation in the United States.

The federal government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, was the result of partisan disagreements over federal spending levels, foreign aid rescissions, and health insurance subsidies. This led to the furlough of approximately 900,000 federal employees and left another 2 million working without pay. The shutdown had widespread economic implications, particularly in states with significant federal employment, such as Virginia and New Jersey.

In Virginia, about 175,000 people are employed by the federal government, making the state particularly susceptible to the economic impacts of the shutdown. In New Jersey, approximately 23,000 federal workers were affected by the shutdown.

This was the first gubernatorial election in Virginia in which both major party nominees were female. If elected, Winsome Earle-Sears would become the first Jamaican-born female governor in U.S. history.

The 2025 gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey unfolded against the challenging backdrop of a federal government shutdown, highlighting the intricate relationship between federal actions and state-level politics. The results will not only shape the future of these states but also offer insights into the nation's political and economic trajectory during times of crisis.