Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., responds to questions during the first general election gubernatorial debate with Republican opponent Jack Ciattarelli on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Lawrenceville, N.J. (Noah K. Murray/AP Photo)
"Tonight, Mikie outlined her bold vision, beginning on Day One with a State of Emergency on Utility Costs to end the rate hikes and lower costs," Sherrill campaign manager Alex Ball said in a statement Sunday.
Earlier in the debate, Sherrill said her campaign wants a 10% tax hike "off the table." But despite Sherrill's commitment to freezing utility rate hikes as governor, the Democrat couldn't extend that same guarantee to the state's sales tax when asked directly.
"He'll tell you whatever you want to hear," Sherrill said of her opponent. "Well, I'm going to tell you the truth. I'm going to be fiscally responsible with your money. I'm going to drive down your cost at every level. And I'm going to make sure your kids have great opportunities here in the state of New Jersey."
In a statement after the debate, Sherrill's campaign seemed to walk back her answer on the debate stage.
"While Jack has repeatedly said a 10% sales tax is on the table, I have been very clear on this: it’s off the table for me and I will not raise the sales tax as your governor," Sherrill said in the statement Monday.
Ciattarelli's campaign strategist Chris Russell told Fox News Digital that Sherrill's comment Sunday proves her plan is to "follow in the footsteps of Phil Murphy and Trenton Democrats and raise taxes again."
Rep. Mikie Sherrill spoke with reporters after voting at Hillside Elementary School in Montclair, N.J., on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Deirdre Heavey/Fox News Digital)
Ciattarelli's campaign also created a website debunking the Democrats' attack line against him.
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The former New Jersey state representative, who is running his third consecutive bid for New Jersey governor, vowed to "cut the size and cost of the state government to afford a tax cut for everybody," in order to decrease tax burdens for New Jerseyans.
"We are not raising the sales tax here in New Jersey. What we need to do is lower the income tax and the property tax. Here in New Jersey, those are the most burdensome taxes we pay," Ciattarelli said.
Deirdre Heavey is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/affordability-takes-center-stage-new-jersey-gubernatorial-race-nominees-spar-over-sales-tax