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The 2021 New Jersey gubernatorial election was not supposed to be that close.

A week before the general election, polling consistently showed Democratic incumbent Phil Murphy with a solid lead over Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli.

On Election Day, Ciattarelli nearly pulled off an upset. But, Murphy managed to squeak through with 3% more votes in a low-turnout election, becoming the first Democrat since 1977 to win a second term.

In 2025, with Ciattarelli attempting his third run for governor, and former Senate President Steve Sweeney hoping his home base will propel him to the Democratic nomination, South Jersey is no longer a pit stop on the campaign trail. In fact, it could be the key to winning the general election.

Ciattarelli’s 2021 run stirred up Republican excitement

Political analysts credit a surge of voters in Republican-leaning counties for helping Ciattarelli get close to victory, particularly in South Jersey. The Republican was able to flip three counties that went for Murphy in 2017: Atlantic, Cumberland and Gloucester counties.

Four years ago, as he was doing a campaign stop at the New Italy American Society in Vineland, Cumberland County, Ciattarelli told the audience “no gubernatorial candidate has spent more time in South Jersey” than him. Vineland Mayor Anthony Fanucci said Ciattarelli has continued to visit the region since his last gubernatorial run.

“Jack has a special place in people’s hearts down here, because he’s paid more attention than anyone that I can remember in my history of being not just an elected official, but living in New Jersey,” he said.

Fanucci said he supported Ciattarelli in 2021 and is “gladly” endorsing him again this year. He said the former assemblyman took time to familiarize himself with issues of importance to South Jersey, such as tourism, agriculture, infrastructure and economic development, as well as many others.

“I know he won’t forget the south, let alone anywhere else in the state,” Fanucci added.

Before Ciattarelli, the last time the Rev. Benjamin Ocasio Sr. remembered a gubernatorial candidate visiting Vineland was when former Gov. Chris Christie was running for a second term in 2013. He feels throughout the years that other candidates have “forgotten that there is a South Jersey.”

Ocasio, pastor of the Rock of Salvation Church in Vineland, said he also saw Republican candidate Bill Spadea this year. But he would like to see statewide leaders visit the area more often, though understands their schedules being set in advance.

“Obviously, I get to see my mayor, and I get to see the city council, and they do try to pop in to different affairs,” he said.

Every year, on June 19, Americans celebrate the end of slavery.

The day is known as Juneteenth, a blend of the words “June” and “nineteenth.” It refers to June 19, 1865 — the day when news of emancipation finally reached Texas, the last place to learn about the abolition of slavery proclaimed by President Abraham Lincoln two years earlier.

But this year in New Jersey, Juneteenth is set to be observed on June 20, not on June 19. Here’s why.

When is Juneteenth celebrated in New Jersey?

In June 2020, Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law the incorporation of Juneteenth as one of the state’s holidays, to be celebrated on the third Friday of June. 

This happened a year before President Joe Biden would do the same at the federal level. Back then, Biden declared Juneteenth a federal holiday to be celebrated on June 19th every year, regardless of what day of the week it falls on.

This has resulted is some confusion as to when the day should be celebrated.

In New Jersey, state offices and courts will be closed on Friday, June 20, but public federal workers and many employees at private companies will have Thursday, June 19 off.

OCEAN CITY, N.J. (WPVI) — People were milking the last hours of sunshine at the shore as the Memorial Day weekend came to an end.

In Ocean City, families lined the boardwalk for their favorite treats and attractions.

“I got the Manco & Manco, that’s some good stuff right there,” said Abel Cortes from Vineland, New Jersey. “It’s been just a nice day for ourselves, relaxing and ending the weekend.”

Visitors say they came not only for the food but also for the nostalgia.

“Every year on Memorial Day we come down to Ocean City to enjoy the Boardwalk, and if the day is warm, we get in the water,” said Eileen Clark of Williamstown, New Jersey.

In Ocean City, beach season also means the kick-off to summer tourism.

Shaina Faith, a returning Boardwalk musician, says she is excited for what this year has in store.

“It’s been fantastic. A lot of people. A lot of good energy, too. I stay for like three hours a day,” said Faith.

While many say Monday wasn’t the preferred 80-degree temperature, it was the perfect start to the scenic summer.

“It was pretty good. Nice and quiet and relaxing. I love it,” said Evelyn Cortes of Vineland, New Jersey.