WEST NEW YORK, New Jersey (WABC) — It is down to the wire in the race to become the next governor of New Jersey.

Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill campaigned in West New York on Sunday, shoring up support with Latinos.

“We have seen a great deal of enthusiasm across the state. It’s been really exciting, including events like this,” Sherrill said.

Some of that enthusiasm emanated from a major rally Saturday night with former President Barack Obama in Newark.

“The numbers in the vote by males in early voting look very, very good. And, you know, having President Obama here last night was kind of icing on the cake,” she said.

Turnout has been overwhelming. Between in-person early voting and mail-in ballots, nearly 1.2 million New Jerseyans have already cast their vote.

“At the end of the day, it’s all decided by the end of 8:00 on Tuesday. But we really like the numbers we see with regard to the VBS vote by mail ballots and the early voting,” Jack Ciattarelli, Republican Candidate NJ Governor, said.

Ciattarelli was joined by Congressman Mike Lawler in Middletown speaking with voters on Sunday.

“People are upset over eight years of Phil Murphy’s failed policies and the very strong impression that my opponent would just be more of the same, only worse,” Ciattarelli said.

He is also criss-crossing the state in a final push for votes.

“I hope the Democrats continue to make the same mistake over the next two days. They’ve been making for the past four months, talking all about Trump and blaming everything on Trump. The people in New Jersey are smarter than that. They want solutions. And that’s exactly what we’ve been giving them every day on the trail,” he argued.

Early voting is over. Polls open at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Election Day.

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NEW JERSEY (WABC) — Democrat Mikie Sherrill is preparing for a campaign blitz this weekend and Republican Jack Ciattarelli cast his vote in the New Jersey gubernatorial election on Friday.

The energy was high and so was the optimism for Ciattarelli who voted early in Bridgewater. He has shifted to a full court press of campaigning over the next four days until Election Day.

“We try to touch four counties every day, there’s eight stops today, we’ve got rallies all throughout the state, reminding people that we’re still in the midst of early voting,” Ciattarelli said. “Two more days after today and reminding people to don’t wait till Tuesday. Anything can happen.”

Turnout is high for early voting and mail-in ballots as nearly one million New Jerseyans have already voted.

“I am a strong law and order, yet compassion for our citizens. I think we could do both with Jack,” voter Claudia Levin Bateman said.

“New Jerseyans are fed up, paying high electrical bills, paying taxes, fees, tolls, everything keeps going up. Our government’s a mess. We need to sort of rally to come in and save New Jersey,” voter Phillipe Pedroso said.

This is the second most expensive gubernatorial race in the state’s history.

Sherrill’s campaign has edged out Ciattarelli in fundraising — $51 million to $47 million.

That is mirrored by campaign spending. Sherrill has spent $43 million and Ciattarelli has spent $39.7 million.

“I feel great, I only have ’21 to compare it to, I really thought I was going to win that race,” Ciattarelli said. “You know how close we came? This one feels very different. Energy up and down. The state is electric. The reception in the minority communities across states been overwhelming positive.”

Sherrill has also been on the campaign trail all week and former President Barack Obama will headline a rally for her Saturday in Newark.

“To me, centering a campaign and what you are hearing on the ground, cutting out the noise sometimes from what’s going on online or elsewhere, but really centering on the very people that you want to serve is incredibly important and I think incredibly successful,” Sherrill said.

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