Fulop Slips in Democrat Primary as Sherrill Gains Ground and Atlantic City Ties Raise Questions

New Jersey — Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop is losing ground in the race for the Democratic nomination for governor as Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill moves ahead in the latest voter polling. Once considered a top contender, Fulop is now facing setbacks linked to his alliance with Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, who is under criminal indictment. Sherrill, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, and Congressman Josh Gottheimer had been polling in close range with Fulop for much of the campaign. That shifted as new scrutiny emerged around Fulop’s decision to appoint Small as a campaign finance chair. Fulop and Small publicly supported each other's campaigns and appeared together at a political fundraiser at Small’s home on May 3. Small and his wife, La Quetta Small, were indicted in September 2024. Charges include second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree counts of assault and terroristic threats. Prosecutors allege the couple physically and emotionally abused their teenage daughter over multiple months. A second grand jury later indicted Small for witness tampering. Fulop was subpoenaed in a civil case involving former Atlantic City school board president John Devlin. Both Fulop and Small have filed legal motions to avoid testifying in that case. Republican Jack Ciattarelli has held a consistent lead in his party's primary and is widely considered the frontrunner in the general election.