Rutgers, ABC7/WABC-TV New York, 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia and New Brunswick Performing Arts Center Team Up For Second 2025 New Jersey Gubernatorial Debate

Hosted by the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University, the second of two public debates between the candidates in the 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial race — Jack Ciattarelli (R) and Mikie Sherrill (D) — will be held at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center in New Brunswick, New Jersey, on Wednesday, Oct. 8  (7:00-8:00 p.m. ET) and will broadcast live on ABC7/WABC-TV New York, 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia, and across the stations’ streaming and digital platforms, and will be available to stream on ABC News Live, with a live simulcast on WXTV Univision 41 New York with Spanish captioning. The event is closed to the public.

Anchors Tamala Edwards of WPVI-TV Philadelphia and Bill Ritter of WABC-TV New York will ask questions and moderate the debate. Partners include the NJ Election Law Enforcement Commission and WXTV Univision 41 New York. New Jersey has one of only two gubernatorial elections in the U.S. this year. 

“The 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial debates serve as an essential source of information for our audiences in New York and Philadelphia,” said Chad Matthews, president of ABC Owned Television Stations. “I am incredibly pleased to offer the communities we serve such comprehensive coverage on critical issues such as education, healthcare, environmental policy and criminal justice, all of which significantly impact the lives of local residents.”

“The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (NJ-ELEC) believes an informed electorate is the foundation of democracy. NJ-ELEC is proud to sponsor the 2025 gubernatorial general election and gratefully acknowledges and expresses its deep appreciation to the debate sponsors performing this important public service,” said New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission Chairman, Thomas H. Prol.

“As the home of public policy education for The State University of New Jersey, the Bloustein School is proud to host this debate and facilitate this important opportunity for the candidates for governor to communicate with the voters of the state ahead of the November election,” said Stuart Shapiro, dean, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.