For decades, New Jersey has been considered a Democratic stronghold, a deep-blue state with little hope for Republicans. But now, conservative activist Scott Presler is raising eyebrows with a bold prediction: The Garden State is officially in play.
“Hear me loudly and clearly: New Jersey is in play,” Presler declared on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle Monday night.
Growing Republican Momentum
Presler, founder of Early Vote Action, a grassroots organization dedicated to registering Republican voters, believes recent election results show an undeniable shift in New Jersey politics. His organization, which focuses on a county-by-county approach to boost GOP turnout, has been aggressively working to close the voter registration gap.
“At EarlyVoteAction.com, we are employing a 21-county strategy,” he explained. “We’re not only going to Essex and Camden, but we’re going to Sussex and Warren, and even red areas to drive up the turnout and make sure that every voice is heard.”
Last November, President Donald Trump gained significant ground in traditionally Democratic states, including New York and New Jersey. In fact, Trump improved his performance in New Jersey by nearly five percentage points—marking the best showing for a Republican presidential candidate in over 30 years.
National Republicans Take Notice
This growing conservative momentum hasn’t gone unnoticed. Presler revealed that the Republican National Committee (RNC) is now prioritizing New Jersey in a way it hasn’t in years. More funding, staff, and resources are being allocated to the state, especially with the crucial 2025 gubernatorial election on the horizon.
“We’re going to have more funding than ever, we’re going to have more staffers than ever. The RNC is on board,” Presler said confidently. “To my beautiful people at home, New Jersey is in play.”
2025 Gubernatorial Race: A Turning Point?
The upcoming race to replace Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, who is term-limited, will be a major test of this GOP resurgence. In 2021, Republican Jack Ciattarelli came within just three points of defeating Murphy—a surprisingly close race in a state long considered a Democratic fortress.
With Murphy unable to run again, Republicans see a real opportunity to reclaim the governor’s mansion. The last GOP governor, Chris Christie, served from 2010 to 2018, and many conservatives hope 2025 will mark a return to Republican leadership in the state.
“I am here to reach as many people as I can, to get them registered, and to empower them to vote on Tuesday, November 4, 2025,” Presler said. “I am so excited to be in the Garden State.”
Can New Jersey Turn Purple?
While flipping a blue state like New Jersey won’t be easy, the numbers suggest a shift is underway. Trump’s improved performance, coupled with growing dissatisfaction among moderate and conservative voters over Democrat-led policies, has given the GOP newfound optimism.
If the momentum continues, New Jersey’s 2025 gubernatorial race could set the stage for an even bigger political shake-up in 2028.
Stay tuned—New Jersey may be the next big battleground state.
