TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is on a mission to California-ize the state of New Jersey before he leaves office. It has been the cornerstone of his administration, to make New Jersey the California of the East Coast.
Now, as his time in office winds down, he and his Democrat supporters wish they all could be California laws.
Governor Phil Murphy’s embrace of progressive policies mirroring California’s approach has ignited political tensions across New Jersey, with opponents warning the state is veering too far west — in ideology, not geography.
Governor Murphy, a Democrat in office since 2018, has adopted several high-profile initiatives that align closely with California’s liberal policy framework.
These include rejoining the cap-and-trade Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, passing strict gun control laws, enacting sanctuary state protections, and legalizing recreational marijuana. While supporters say these measures address critical social and environmental concerns, critics argue they push New Jersey toward an identity crisis.
Senator Michael Testa, a Republican representing New Jersey’s 1st Legislative District, has emerged as a leading voice against the so-called “California of the East Coast” trajectory. “New Jerseyans DO NOT want to be the, ‘California of the East Coast,’” Testa declared in a March 23 post on X, condemning what he views as excessive mandates and progressive overreach.
The cap-and-trade program, revived under Murphy in 2018, focuses on curbing emissions in the power sector — a narrower scope than California’s economy-wide model. While designed to combat climate change, opponents warn the policy could drive up energy costs, impacting consumers and businesses alike.
Murphy’s administration has also toughened gun laws, making New Jersey second only to California in firearm regulation, according to the Giffords Law Center. These include mandatory background checks, carry permits, smart gun sales requirements, and secure storage mandates. Although such measures correlate with a lower gun death rate — 5.3 per 100,000 compared to the national average of 11.9 — they remain controversial among Second Amendment advocates.
On immigration, New Jersey declared itself a sanctuary state with the 2019 Immigrant Trust Directive, restricting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. This mirrors California’s longstanding stance, aiming to protect undocumented residents, estimated at 470,000 in New Jersey. However, this policy may face pressure amid renewed federal deportation efforts.
Recreational marijuana was legalized in New Jersey in 2021, following California’s 2016 lead. By 2025, the state boasts 29 dispensaries and nearly $1 billion in annual sales. Supporters cite social justice and economic opportunity, but skeptics caution against potential public health concerns, echoing issues seen on the West Coast.
Senator Testa’s opposition intensified with new electric vehicle mandates and proposals he believes could damage industries like trucking. “Continuing to emulate California is a recipe for disaster,” posted SaveJersey, a conservative account, echoing widespread frustration among some constituents who argue New Jersey’s path should be shaped locally, not copied from another coast.
Public reaction remains deeply divided. Democrats defend the policies as necessary for environmental protection, equity, and modernization, while Republicans frame them as imported solutions to problems that may not exist in the same form in New Jersey.
Despite political friction, Governor Murphy has remained committed to a forward-leaning agenda.
Yet with New Jersey’s diverse demographics, economy, and regional identity, continued comparisons to California may spark further polarization heading into future legislative sessions.