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Democrat Mikie Sherrill, a New Jersey lawmaker serving in the US House of representatives, is projected to win the governor's race in the Garden State.
In one of several races that are seen as both a referendum on US President Donald Trump and bellwether for the 2026 midterm elections, Sherill will succeed fellow Democrat Gov Phil Murphy.
The US Naval Academy graduate, helicopter pilot and former federal prosecutor first entered politics in 2018 as anti-Trump sentiment washed over the US during his first term.
The congresswoman edged out Republican Jack Ciattarelli, a former state legislator. Her victory comes after fellow liberal Abigail Spanberger won the governor's race in Virginia.
The race to lead the state was neck and neck between Ciattarelli, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, and Sherill in the weeks leading up to the 4 November general election in a reliably blue state that is also considered a bellwether for next year's midterm elections, where Democrats hope to tilt control of Congress in their favour.
Both focused on cost of living, with Ciattarelli, a businessman and former Republican state representative, proposing lowering personal and corporate tax rates and using a new school funding formula to lower taxes across the state.
Sherrill campaigned on proposed tax incentives for new housing developments and a freeze on utility rate hikes.
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Businessman and former New Jersey lawmaker Jack Ciattarelli.
State governors are key figures in the US with enormous power that control many aspects of American life, including things ranging from education to abortion rights. Governors have a say on issues decided at the state level.
In New Jersey, governors are limited to two consecutive terms. But they are not limited in non-consecutive terms. The third US state, and one of the original 13 US colonies, New Jersey last had a Republican governor in 1988.
As polling stations opened on Tuesday, the BBC's US partner CBS reported that some polling locations received bomb threats that caused temporary closures and police response.
Sherrill called the threats "a clear attempt to undermine our democratic system and intimidate New Jerseyans from going to the polls to exercise their right to vote".
Her opponent Ciattarelli told CBS that "there's no place in politics for nonsense like this".
