1997 New Jersey gubernatorial election

In the Democratic primary, state senator and Woodbridge Township mayor James McGreevey defeated pre-U.S. Rep.

In June, a 60-second radio ad paid for by the New Jersey Republican Party focused on the 30% income tax cut and 180,000 new jobs.

Jim Florio (D) in an ad October, calling his 1990 tax increase a result of electing "liberal Democrats".

In September, McGreevey unveiled two TV ads criticizing Whitman and focusing on property taxes, auto insurance rates, pension bond debts, and education standards.

In October, a poll found that voters of NJ called auto insurance the most important issue in the campaign, and property taxes second.

Democratic primary results by county
McGreevey
  • 40–50%
  • 50–60%
  • 60–70%
  • 70–80%
Andrews
  • 50–60%
  • 60–70%
  • 70–80%
  • 80–90%
Murphy
  • 40–50%
  • 60–70%