New Jersey households are reeling after energy regulators approved steep hikes that sent utility bills soaring this summer. Rates jumped by 17 to 20 percent in June, pushing the state into the 12th-highest slot for electric bills nationwide. According to the Wall Street Journal, residents now pay roughly 15 percent more than the national average.
For many families, the sticker shock has been overwhelming.
“$200 more, I know my electrical bill,” one woman told.
“I was shocked. So to say the least, I’m very disappointed. This is killing us, and every time you turn around it’s something more. You only get little pleasures in life that you enjoy, and my air conditioner is one of them.”
Political Pressure Mounts on Democrats
The outrage has quickly become a political flashpoint. Critics point to Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy’s decision to shutter nuclear and coal plants without putting adequate replacements in place. Although Murphy is term-limited and won’t appear on the ballot, his party’s nominee, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, is being pressed to answer for the fallout.
Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli has seized on the issue, arguing Democrats prioritized offshore wind projects and alternative energy plans that have yet to materialize. He insists that shortsighted policies left residents paying the price.
Sherrill, however, is pointing the finger elsewhere. She blames the region’s grid operator for failing to deliver, saying they are “ripping us off and refusing to connect new projects.”
A Race with National Implications
The upcoming November gubernatorial contest is being closely watched as a bellwether ahead of the 2026 midterms. A StimSight Research poll released August 5 shows Sherrill holding a 48 to 42 percent lead over Ciattarelli. But with only 32 percent of voters firmly committed to her and 31 percent to him, analysts say the race is still wide open.
New Jersey voters are making their priorities clear. More than half 53 percent, say affordability is the defining issue, while 43 percent cite taxes as their top concern. That spells danger for Democrats if bills continue to climb.
The Candidates at a Glance
Ciattarelli, who narrowly lost to Murphy in 2021, is banking on voter frustration to fuel his campaign. His appearances across the state hammer on the same theme: Democrats’ energy agenda has left New Jerseyans squeezed.
Sherrill, meanwhile, touts her record in Congress and her background as a Navy helicopter pilot and former federal prosecutor. She emerged from a crowded Democratic primary in June, sharpening her profile by criticizing both Trump and former Department of Government Efficiency chief Elon Musk.
With energy bills climbing, tax burdens looming, and household budgets stretched thin, the only certainty heading into November is that affordability will decide the race.
