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Not many people expected this outcome in deep-blue New Jersey.
The Republican and Democrat campaigns for governor in New Jersey ended Election Night without either party claiming victory.
The race remained too close to call as the state continues to count votes.
Democrat Governor Phil Murphy and Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli were neck-and-neck.
A significant amount of votes remained in Camden, Essex and Union counties, Fox News reports.
In addition, a significant amount of mail and provisional votes are left in Essex County.
These votes are expected to favor Democrat Governor Phil Murphy.
More from Fox News:
The campaigns ended their Election Night parties without either claiming victory. Both struck optimistic tones with their supporters.
“We’ve sent a message to the entire nation. This is what I love about this state: Every single time it’s gone too far off track, the people of this state have pushed, pulled and prodded it right back to where it needs to be,” Ciattarelli said.
Murphy has been leading in the polls, has a 1 million-voter registration advantage and had more cash in his campaign coffers than Ciattarelli in the final days of the race.
“We’re all sorry that tonight cannot yet be the celebration we wanted it to be,” Murphy said. “But when every vote is counted—and every vote will be counted—we hope to have a celebration.”
Ciattarelli was up by about 1,000 votes with 88% reporting at about 3:30 a.m. ET.
Ciattarelli, a former accountant and businessman, has been involved in New Jersey state politics for decades and served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2011 to 2018. He ran for New Jersey governor in 2017 and came in second place in the primary.
