Obama’s presence and Trump’s policies consume 11th-hour rally to keep NJ blue
On Saturday evening, a palpable sense of excitement filled the air as hundreds of New Jersey Democratic voters gathered at Essex County College to hear from former President Barack Obama, who was there to support Rep. Mikie Sherrill in her gubernatorial campaign. The event, part of a “Get Out the Vote” rally, saw attendees lining up for blocks, eager to catch a glimpse of Obama and rally behind Sherrill just days before the election. Many attendees expressed their admiration for Obama, with one South Jersey voter, Alexis, stating, “I heard Barack Obama was gonna be here. And I love Barack Obama, so I really came out here for that.” This enthusiasm underscores the former president’s enduring influence within the Democratic Party, especially as Sherrill positions herself as a strong candidate against her Republican opponent, Jack Ciattarelli.
Throughout the rally, speakers and attendees alike highlighted their concerns regarding former President Donald Trump, framing their votes not only as support for Sherrill but also as a rejection of Trump’s policies and administration. Voters voiced their frustrations over issues like immigration and the economy, with one attendee remarking, “The top issue is Trump… There’s nothing else other than that.” Obama echoed these sentiments in his speech, criticizing Trump for benefiting “billionaire friends” while ordinary families struggle with rising costs. He portrayed the current political climate as “dark,” emphasizing the need for change and urging voters to recognize the stakes of the upcoming election. Sherrill, alongside other Democratic leaders, reinforced this message, condemning Trump’s policies and positioning herself as a candidate who would prioritize the needs of the people over partisan politics.
As the election approaches, the stakes are high for both parties. New Jersey’s gubernatorial race is particularly significant, especially after Trump made notable gains in the state during the last election cycle, reducing his loss margin from 16 points in 2020 to just six in 2024. This shift has energized Republican efforts, making Sherrill’s campaign even more crucial for Democrats hoping to maintain their foothold in the state. With prominent figures like Obama rallying support, the Democratic Party is hopeful that this mobilization will translate into voter turnout, crucial for Sherrill’s success against Ciattarelli. As the campaign enters its final stretch, the call to action is clear: every vote counts, and the outcome could have lasting implications for New Jersey and beyond.
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Enthusiasm was high among New Jersey Democratic voters who flocked to a community college campus Saturday evening to hear from former President
Barack Obama
as he rallied support for Rep. Mikie Sherrill in her campaign for the governorship.
“I heard Barack Obama was gonna be here. And I love Barack Obama, so I really came out here for that,” one voter, Alexis from South Jersey, told Fox Digital. “But I do support Mikie, as well.”
“I want to hear Obama,” Robert, from Spring Lake, told Fox Digital. “I think a lot of people want to hear Obama. Wouldn’t it be great to have a message of hope at this point in time?”
Hundreds of supporters wrapped around multiple blocks surrounding the Essex County College’s gymnasium on Saturday to hear from Obama and Sherrill as the New Jersey election comes down to its final days. The packed auditorium hit capacity before the “Get Out the Vote” rally officially kicked off, with supporters also watching the rally from an overflow parking lot.
SHERRILL INSISTS NJ A DEM STRONGHOLD AHEAD OF OBAMA VISIT, REJECTING GOP MOMENTUM: ‘NOT A PURPLE STATE’
Prominent rally speakers and attendees alike celebrated hearing from Obama on Saturday, but also repeatedly spoke about President
Donald Trump
, slamming him for efforts to deport illegal aliens, and pinning blame for the ongoing federal government shutdown on Trump and Republicans.
A handful of voters who spoke to Fox Digital relayed that their ballot was not one solely focused on Sherrill, but also a vote against Trump and his administration.
“Well, the top issue is Trump,” said Robert from Spring Lake. “There’s nothing else other than that.… Trump is absolutely the worst,” he added, citing that Trump is allegedly “anti-science” and against education.
“To get Trump out of office, number one,” one female voter from South Jersey told Fox Digital of why she came out to the rally and her top voting concerns this election.
“I am voting for Mikie Sherrill because she actually understands all the people. She is not a minion for Trump,” another South Jersey voter added.
CLIFF-HANGER: CIATTARELLI, SHERRILL CLAIM UPPER HAND IN CRUCIAL NEW JERSEY SHOWDOWN FOR GOVERNOR
Obama also leaned into slamming Trump during his remarks to the crowd, claiming the current economy has benefited “Trump’s billionaire friends,” while “ordinary families” pay increased prices at check-out lines due to Trump’s “shambolic tariff policy.”
“Let’s face it, our country and our politics are in a pretty dark place right now,” Obama told the audience on Saturday. “It’s hard to know where to start, because every day this White House offers up a fresh batch of lawlessness and carelessness and mean-spiritedness. And just plain old craziness.”
Comments targeting Trump and his administration extended to attacks on GOP gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli, as well, with Obama casting him as the president’s toady and a “suck up” to the Republican Party.
Trump made inroads with
New Jersey
voters just a year ago, in his decisive general election win over former Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump cut his 2020 loss from 16 points in the Garden State to six in 2024, and flipped five counties to the GOP, invigorating Republicans in the state to keep the momentum going as Ciattarelli launched his bid for Drumthwacket.
“Please go out and vote,” Irvington Councilwoman Charnette Frederic told Fox Digital. “And I’m hoping Obama is the last push to remind you.”
WITH LEGACY ON THE LINE, OBAMA HITTING CAMPAIGN TRAIL TO BOOST DEMOCRATS IN KEY GOVERNOR ELECTIONS
Frederic has served as an Irvington councilwoman since 2012, and said Obama’s presence in the state for past campaign rallies spurred an influx of voters, remarking she’s hopeful the same will unfold ahead of Tuesday.
“I am an immigrant, and I believe in treating people with respect and dignity,” Frederic said. “Whatever I’m seeing right now, this is not the kind of opportunity that we want for our people,” adding that Sherrill will “stand for the people” against the White House’s stances on immigration and other policies.
Sherrill, DNC chair Ken Martin, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, and other local Democrats took the stage of the auditorium to rally support for Sherrill, while also criticizing the Trump administration.
NEW JERSEY DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR HOPEFUL ATTENDS ‘NO KINGS’ PROTEST, VOWS TO FIGHT TRUMP ‘TOOTH AND NAIL’
“But my fight doesn’t and can’t end at the border of New Jersey. We’ve got to take on all those hits coming from Trump and
Washington, D.C
. Because right now the president is running a worldwide extortion racket. You pay more for everything from the coffee you drink in the morning to the groceries you’re cooking dinner with at night as Trump pockets billions. His energy plan is designed for just one audience. The fossil fuel industry,” Sherrill claimed.
During this off-year election cycle, New Jersey and Virginia are holding gubernatorial elections, while other jurisdictions such as New York City are holding mayoral races and other local races.
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
