New Jersey’s 22% spike in electricity rates—one of the steepest in the nation—has turned power costs into a defining issue in the state’s tightening governor’s race. (NYT)
Candidates Mikie Sherrill (D) and Jack Ciattarelli (R) are trading blame as residents face hundreds in higher annual utility bills. Sherrill is proposing an emergency freeze on electricity costs, while Ciattarelli blames Dems for mismanaging energy policy and making New Jersey a net importer of power.
Why it matters: New Jersey’s race could preview 2026 campaign battles over energy affordability as electricity costs rise across the country.