Welcome to the InsiderNJ list of 100 top power figures in the state of New Jersey.

The following list reflects the backbone of government and political power in the state of New Jersey, minus judges, former governors, and current elected officials. In its compilation, we paid particular attention to the consequences of this year’s statewide election, in which Democrat Mikie Sherrill defeated Republican Jack Ciattarelli. Beyond that core defined by a strong (but not immutable) NJ establishment, the most significant change from last year, therefore, reflects political power shifted from the departing administration of Governor Phil Murphy to the players around Governor-elect Sherrill. The list also recognizes the special role progressive Democrats played in the election’s outcome.

Given the power of the New Jersey Governor, we prioritized players critical to the success of Sherrill’s campaign, finding the leaders, operatives, activists, workers, and wonks who helped her craft a crushing 13-point victory. In addition, we gave weight to those seen as either on their way into her new administration or likely beneficiaries of her fledgling governorship. We found relevant grassroots and organization people who empowered Sherrill and dealt a blow to the perceived abuse of power by President Donald J. Trump.

Suffering voter backlash against the President and his policies, and unable to adjust, Republicans in New Jersey had a terrible year. A firm ally of Trump, Ciattarelli vowed to carry GOP legislative candidates to Trenton on his coattails. Instead, Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio (R-23) lost five seats. The campaign itself revealed Ciattarelli’s efforts to connect with both the most obvious MAGA wing of the GOP, and non-ideological strapped taxpayers. In the end, he could not bridge that divide, as Trump extremists not only galvanized Democrats, but reminded independent and unaffiliated voters to oppose the President at the ballot box. Trump badly damaged Ciattarelli, especially down the stretch of the general campaign season, as he announced the termination of the Gateway Tunnel project, failed to control inflation, grew unemployment, presided over a costly government shutdown, aggressively weaponized ICE, cheapened the presidency with hateful rhetoric, and demonized political enemies. In the end it boiled down to voter anxiety about the economy, and Ciattarelli’s inability to appear in any way independent from the President.

Sherrill, for her part, made history as the first female Democrat in the state of New Jersey to be elected governor. The Congresswoman from Montclair, a former Navy helicopter pilot and former prosecutor, proved her toughness on the trail – and proved her courage. Now the hard work of governing begins. Certainly, voters will closely watch Sherrill, particularly on day one, to see if she delivers on a campaign promise to freeze utility rates. Within a political atmosphere nationalized with tremendous intensity because of Trump, the Governor will have to focus (“like a laser,” in her words) on New Jersey, the real needs of New Jerseyans, and tackling an affordability crisis in this state, not the fast-developing 2028 race for president.

The people spoke. Now, we will hold Sherrill to the speech she made in victory on Nov. 4th: “I hear you, New Jersey – good government doesn’t just manage problems. It solves them. And I will continue to listen and work with you to move our state forward. Because I have learned so much as I have traveled the state. Our innovations, our businesses, our inventors and entrepreneurs have amazed me. But it is the people who have left the biggest mark. Especially those who are fighting for prosperity for their communities.”

Max Pizarro
Editor-in-Chief

Download the 2025 Insider 100: Power List or view it below: