They blasted President Donald Trump for threatening to cut off funding for the project.
"That's not who I'm going to serve as your governor. I'm going to focuson serving the people of New Jersey," Sherrill said. "That has always been my north star, and that is what I'm going to continue to fight to do."
"She didn't just urge us to choose this project for funding, she helped to make sure the funds were there in the first place by working to get the bipartisan infrastructure law passed," Buttigieg said.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump terminated federal support for the $16 billion Gateway Tunnel Project, which would build a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River while the existing tunnel is rehabilitated.
Hours after the government shutdown began, the Trump administration moved to pause funding and review contracts for two major area transit projects, the Hudson Gateway Tunnel and the Second Avenue Subway extension project. White House budget director Russ Vought claimed that the spending was based on "unconstitutional" diversity, equity and inclusion principles.
Work on the tunnel has already begun, with 500 union tradesmen on both sides of the river working on soil remediation and preparing to bore the tunnel.
The new tunnel is slated to open in 2035, and the entire project, including fixing the existing tunnel, is expected to be completed by 2038.
Seventy percent of the project is funded by federal money after Congress approved the plan.
Sherrill has been vocal about the importance of the Gateway Tunnel Project and about President Trump's statement to terminate it.
"Should the president illegally be able to stop funding until we can clap back? Then that is going to raise prices because his tariffs are raising costs on everything," Sherrill said. "Once we get shovels back on the ground after any delay, the price will only go up."
Sherrill called out her opponent, Jack Ciattarelli, on Thursday and says he has not addressed questions about the project.
Meanwhile, Ciattarelli addressed another regional transportation issue this week.
During an appearance on Benny Johnson's podcast, Ciattarelli discussed how we he would respond if New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani's proposed congestion plan if he were elected mayor.
Ciattarelli said he would welcome people who leave New York to come to New Jersey but would implement "reverse congestion pricing" if he becomes governor.
"If he goes ahead with the congestion pricing plan, which is an egregious money grab on New Jerseyans, here's what I am going to do: I'm going to retaliate," Ciattarelli said. "Any New York plate that comes through the tunnels, over the bridge, into New Jersey in the morning, I'm going to hit them with a reverse congestion pricing fee."
Quinnipiac University released its latest and final poll on this race before Election Day, saying that out of the top 11 issues that matter to voters, taxes, ethics in government and health care lead the list, in that order.
"What we've seen is the strongest card that Ciattarelli has is as a business guy, he's considered probably more capable of handling the huge property tax issue that people have in New Jersey," said Tim Mallow, Quinnipiac University polling analyst. "She less so, but she's highly regarded on other issues as far as leadership, perhaps that's her military background. And she's very, very, very strong with women."
Polls say Ciattarelli is trending well in shore communities. He's joining supporters for a rally at Spring Lake Manor Thursday evening.
Both candidates plan to continue campaigning at voting rallies across New Jersey.
Former President Barack Obama is expected to join Sherrill at a rally on Saturday.
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