Could deep-blue New Jersey actually be on the verge of a political shift? If you ask Scott Presler, the answer is a resounding yes. The conservative activist and founder of Early Vote Action is making waves, arguing that the Garden State is no longer a lost cause for Republicans.
“Hear me loudly and clearly: New Jersey is in play,” Presler declared on The Ingraham Angle Monday night.
It’s a bold statement. New Jersey has been a Democratic stronghold for decades. No Republican has won the state in a presidential election since 1988. And yet, the numbers tell an intriguing story—one that suggests Presler’s confidence isn’t entirely misplaced.
During the last presidential election, President Donald Trump made significant gains across the country, improving his numbers in all seven key battleground states. But what stood out was his progress in deep-blue states like New York and New Jersey.
In New Jersey, Trump improved his margin by nearly five percentage points—marking the strongest Republican performance in the state in over 30 years. That shift, combined with the closer-than-expected gubernatorial race in 2021 (where Republican Jack Ciattarelli came within three points of unseating Gov. Phil Murphy), has given conservatives new hope.
Presler and his organization, Early Vote Action, aren’t waiting around. They’re already implementing a 21-county strategy aimed at registering new Republican voters and maximizing turnout in both blue and red areas.
“We’re not only going to Essex and Camden, but we’re going to Sussex and Warren, and even red areas to drive up the turnout and make sure that every voice is heard,” Presler explained.
And it’s not just enthusiasm. Presler says Republicans are finally investing in New Jersey in a serious way. More funding, more staff, and crucially, more boots on the ground.
“We’re going to have more funding than ever, we’re going to have more staffers than ever. The RNC is on board,” he told Ingraham.
New Jersey isn’t just seeing a rightward trend—it’s also experiencing growing dissatisfaction with Democratic leadership. Sky-high taxes, out-of-control spending, and heavy-handed COVID-era policies have left many voters frustrated.
Additionally, the state’s large suburban population—once a Democratic stronghold—has shown signs of moving rightward, particularly as cultural and economic issues dominate the national conversation.
Now, with the 2025 gubernatorial race already heating up, the GOP sees a real opportunity to retake the governor’s mansion for the first time since Chris Christie left office in 2018.
