Staff Reports
The Republican Party is making a bold push to turn New Jersey red, challenging the state’s long-standing reputation as a Democratic stronghold. Conservative activist Scott Presler, known for his grassroots mobilization efforts, is spearheading the campaign through his organization Early Vote Action. Presler’s strategy is clear: energize Republican voters across all 21 counties while leveraging lessons learned from flipping Pennsylvania in the 2024 presidential election. With voter registration gains and increasing enthusiasm among conservatives, the GOP is signaling that New Jersey is no longer off-limits.
Presler’s approach is rooted in data-driven outreach and aggressive voter registration efforts. He has focused on engaging key demographics such as veterans, hunters, and rural voters, while also targeting urban areas to blunt Democratic advantages. His team has already begun registering voters on the Wildwood boardwalk and plans to expand efforts statewide. This grassroots mobilization mirrors the tactics that helped former President Donald Trump narrow the gap in New Jersey during the 2024 election, where he lost by just six points—a significant improvement from previous cycles. The GOP’s growing voter base and declining Democratic registration suggest that the state may be inching closer to swing-state status.
The groundwork for this conservative resurgence was laid during the 2021 gubernatorial election, where Republican Jack Ciattarelli came within three points of defeating incumbent Democrat Phil Murphy. This razor-thin margin shocked political observers and highlighted vulnerabilities in Democratic dominance. Since then, New Jersey has purged over 225,000 inactive voters from its rolls, disproportionately affecting Democrats. Combined with ongoing Republican gains in voter registration, these developments have created a more competitive electoral landscape. Conservatives see this as an opportunity to capitalize on dissatisfaction with high taxes, affordability issues, and public safety concerns under Democratic leadership.
National Republican leaders are also taking notice. RNC Chair Michael Whatley recently visited Morris County to rally support and discuss strategies for turning New Jersey red. The GOP’s early investment in staffing and funding underscores its commitment to this effort. By embracing mail-in voting and early voting—a shift encouraged by Trump himself—Republicans are adapting their tactics to counter Democratic advantages in vote-by-mail ballots. This cultural shift within the party reflects a broader determination to compete effectively in traditionally blue states.
For Democrats, the message is clear: complacency could be costly. While New Jersey has reliably supported Democratic candidates in presidential elections for decades, recent trends suggest a growing appetite for change among voters. Republicans are not only playing defense but are actively pursuing offense by expanding their reach into traditionally Democratic areas while solidifying their base in conservative strongholds like Sussex and Warren counties. As Presler rallies conservatives with his energetic grassroots campaign, it’s evident that New Jersey is no longer a guaranteed win for Democrats—it’s a battleground ripe for competition.
