It has been over three decades since a Republican candidate won New Jersey in a presidential election, with the last instance being Vice President George H.W. Bush in 1988. Since then, Democrats have consistently carried the state in presidential elections. However, former President Trump believes that he can win New Jersey in future elections. Trump expressed his optimism in a recent radio interview, stating that he loves the state and is determined to win it, despite its status as a traditionally Democratic stronghold. Trump’s confidence in flipping New Jersey to the Republican party was reinforced by his plans to hold a rally in Wildwood, a Republican-leaning area in the state.
Trump’s previous attempts to win over New Jersey voters have not been successful, as he lost the state by large margins in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections to Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden, respectively. Despite this, Trump remains determined to make inroads in the state, especially as he faces legal challenges in New York City during the week, making him the first former or current president to stand trial in a criminal case. The upcoming rally in Wildwood is seen as an opportunity for Trump to connect with voters and potentially gain support in a state that has historically voted for Democrats.
In response to Trump’s efforts, Democrats in New Jersey do not appear to be taking his prediction seriously. Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a Biden surrogate, dismissed the idea of New Jersey being welcoming to Trump, while Biden campaign communications director Michael Tyler emphasized the campaign’s focus on winning the necessary electoral votes rather than engaging in rhetoric about flipping states to the Republican party. Despite the skepticism from Democrats, Trump remains committed to his goal of winning New Jersey and changing its traditionally blue status.
While Trump’s ambitions to win New Jersey may face challenges, especially given the state’s Democratic leanings in recent elections, his determination and efforts to hold rallies and engage with voters in Republican-leaning areas such as Wildwood indicate his commitment to the cause. As the 2024 campaign trail heats up, Trump’s focus on New Jersey and other traditionally blue states demonstrates his strategy to expand Republican support beyond the party’s traditional strongholds. Whether these efforts will be successful remains to be seen, but Trump’s persistent approach suggests that he is not giving up on the idea of winning over New Jersey voters in the future.
