Steve Fulop is in. Who’s next?

We’re still more than 2 1/2 years away from when New Jersey voters will select their next governor to succeed term-limited incumbent Phil Murphy.

But the 2025 race got its first official candidate Tuesday when Fulop, Jersey City’s Democratic mayor, formally announced he is running in what is expected to be a crowded contest on both sides of the political aisle to become the Garden State’s 57th governor.

Here is our still-very-early, still-very-speculative look at the possible field, based on conversations with multiple sources who know a thing or two about Jersey politics:

HAT IN THE RING

STEVE FULOP

It’s been speculated for years that Fulop, a 46-year-old U.S. Marine veteran who has served three terms as mayor of the state’s second-largest city, would vie for the governor’s mansion. He said in a statement Tuesday he “has always been guided by a strong desire to take on difficult challenges and find solutions that help improve peoples’ lives.”

Fulop stormed into the political arena as a long-shot 28-year-old hopeful for city council in 2005. Without the support of the local machine, Fulop won and was elected mayor in 2013. Within no time, it was clear within his inner circle the Democrat wanted to run for governor. But then he surprised Jersey’s political world by announcing he wouldn’t run and backed Murphy instead.

This time, it’s happening.

POSSIBLE DEMOCRATIC CONTENDERS

STEPHEN SWEENEY

Even “Saturday Night Live” viewers know the former longtime state Senate president lost his seat in 2021 in a shocking upset to a little-known Republican truck driver. But Sweeney has strongly suggested a gubernatorial bid is in his future. “I’m not done,” he told NJ Advance Media in January 2022.

Many agree you shouldn’t count out the suspender-wearing ironworker. Because of his two decades of political experience. Because of his connections to deep-pocketed powerbroker George Norcross. Because he’s the top contender from South Jersey, which would help if the field is crowded with North Jersey candidates. “The more people north of I-95, the better it is for Sweeney,” said Ben Dworkin, director of the Rowan Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship.

Sweeney ended months of speculation last month when he announced he wouldn’t run to regain his old Senate seat in this year’s elections. But he once again insisted he is not done with politics. “Obviously, I’m looking at it,” Sweeney told NJ Advance Media on Tuesday of his possible gubernatorial bid.

MIKIE SHERRILL

The North Jersey congresswoman’s name is mentioned frequently as a top contender for the party’s nod. People simply point to her resume: She’s a former U.S. Navy pilot, a former prosecutor, a two-term member of the U.S. House. And she’d vie to become only the second women ever to serve as New Jersey’s governor. One source said she has “every damn attribute you would want in a candidate.”

SHEILA OLIVER

New Jersey’s first lieutenant governor, Kim Guadagno, set the precedent when she won the Republican nomination for governor in 2017, but she was easily defeated by Murphy. Oliver, Murphy’s lieutenant governor, is a former speaker of the state Assembly and, like Guadagno, has kept an active schedule, albeit under the radar. It’s not a high-profile position, but being LG means you can log many miles on the road forging connections. In addition, Dworkin said “any number of people might want to rally around the highest elected African American woman ever in New Jersey.” And Oliver will almost certainly spend more time as acting governor as Murphy tries to raise his national profile traveling out of state.

CRAIG COUGHLIN

The Middlesex County lawmaker kept a relatively low profile until he became speaker of the Assembly in 2018, making him one of the most powerful elected officials in the state. Since then, he has been in the midst of state budget battles, ushered in key legislation, and become a very visible presence in state politics. Plus, Central Jersey’s political power hasn’t been this high since Jim McGreevey was governor (Yes, Central Jersey very much exists when it comes to the dynamics in Trenton).

RAS BARAKA

The mayor of Newark — the state’s largest city — is barely beating around the bush on this one. “If we do that thing, I’m going to come find you. Newark is going to decide where I’m going to go. If there is a fight out there, I’m not afraid,” Baraka said at a fundraiser last year, according to a report from Insider NJ. “That thing” Baraka referred to was a gubernatorial run, the political news site reported. Bergen County may be the state’s most populous, but running up big numbers in Essex County is key and would be critical in a heavily contested primary.

JOHN WISNIEWSKI

He spent two more than decades in the Assembly, led the investigation into the Bridgegate scandal that engulfed then-Gov. Chris Christie’s administration, served as chairman of New Jersey’s Democratic Party, and bucked the party to support Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election. Wisniewski, an attorney from Middlesex County, has also run for governor before, falling to Murphy in the 2017 Democratic primary. He could very well launch another bid.

JOSH GOTTHEIMER

The North Jersey congressman — a former speechwriter in President Bill Clinton’s administration — rose to power when he defeated incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett in 2016 and has since won every election. He’s known as a fierce campaigner, with a strong ability to fundraise. Should he run, he’d vie to become the first Jewish governor in New Jersey history. Dworkin also noted it’s “a freebie” for members of Congress to run for governor because the state has off-year elections — meaning, they can seek the office without giving up their seats.

SEAN SPILLER

It’s not a surprise that Spiller is considered a rising political star: He is both the mayor of Montclair and the president of the powerful New Jersey Education Association, the largest teachers union in the state and a major fundraising force. Some believe he may be eyeing an even higher office.

VIN GOPAL

You might also see a few members of the state Senate flirt with gubernatorial campaigns because 2025 is an off-year election for them, too. Gopal, a Monmouth County senator, has long been rumored as a possible statewide candidate. But his first obstacle is re-election to the Senate this year. Gopal represents a competitive district and barely eked out a win two years ago in a race that took days to call.

POSSIBLE REPUBLICAN CONTENDERS

JACK CIATTARELLI

Pencil this one in already. Minutes after conceding in a closer-than-expected race against Murphy last year, Ciattarelli announced he plans to run for governor again in 2025. “I want the governor to be successful in addressing the issues that are most important to New Jerseyans,” the former member of the state Assembly said. It would be his third gubernatorial campaign.

But this time, he may have more momentum, having given Murphy a scare last year and with multiple years of campaigning under his belt. One hiccup: George Gilmore last year won back his seat as chairman of the Ocean County Republican Party, the most powerful GOP county organization in the state. Ciattarelli and Gilmore have been at odds in the past, and that could be an obstacle in securing support.

MIKE TESTA

Taking over for now-U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew in 2019, the South Jersey state senator is a conservative firebrand often clad in three-piece suits and known for giving impassioned speeches on the Senate floor. He’s also been a fierce critic of Murphy’s administration, gaining attention in GOP circles.

JON BRAMNICK

The longtime state lawmaker eyed a gubernatorial bid twice before but didn’t run. As Assembly minority leader, Bramnick always took a moderate GOP position, and that’s carried through to the state Senate, where he now works. He is one of the few Republicans in the state willing to openly criticize former President Donald Trump. And the Union County legislator also has the distinction of once being voted New Jersey’s funniest lawyer. He even moonlights as a standup comedian around the state.

DECLAN O’SCANLON

Another vocal and moderate Republican state senator, O’Scanlon is either just having more fun these days or working to raise his statewide profile — or both. The Monmouth County lawmaker who may have singlehandedly sparked the extinction of red-light cameras in New Jersey is increasingly getting louder on other issues. He has been a major critic of how Democrats handled the state budget in recent years. And his witty Twitter presence has spilled out on the Senate floor. Watch out, Bramnick ...

HOLLY SCHEPISI

The Bergen County attorney has spent the last decade as a key Republican in the state Legislature, first in the Assembly and moving up to the Senate last year. The Bergen County lawmaker has burnished her credentials by sitting on the legislative committee that investigated the Katie Brennan allegations that engulfed Murphy’s administration.

PHIL RIZZO

The pastor finished a distant second to Ciattarelli in last year’s primary for the Republican nod for governor. But he has remained a vocal — and popular — figure in conservative circles. He also received the backing last year of Gilmore, the newly re-minted chairman of the powerful Ocean County GOP.

TOM KEAN JR.

Last year was a good one for Kean, the former state Senate minority leader. The Union County politician won a seat in Congress, representing New Jersey’s 7th District in the U.S. House. It was a rematch against Democratic incumbent Tom Malinowski, whom he narrowly lost to in 2020.

Malinowski already appears in campaign mode to try and take back his seat in 2024. But will Kean be content in Washington or will a gubernatorial bid follow? He’s got the name, after all. His father was a popular governor for two terms in the 1980s.

KEVIN O’TOOLE

He’s a well-connected veteran of the Garden State political scene. The Essex County stalwart spent more than two decades in the Legislature (including tenures in both the Assembly and Senate). He has spent the last five years as chairman of the Port Authority. His law firm remains a powerful one. And he is a longtime ally of Chris Christie.

BOB HUGIN

The former pharmaceutical executive spent $36 million of his own money in an unsuccessful bid to unseat Robert Menendez from the U.S. Senate in 2018. But he made that race closer than expected and has stayed active in state politics, now serving as chairman of the state Republican Party. As he proved four years ago, his wealth could also come in handy.

BILL SPADEA

The outspoken conservative ran two failed bids for elected office, one for Congress and the other for a seat in the state Legislature, before he spent many years as a TV host. He has since rebranded himself as a morning radio host on New Jersey 101.5, giving him a big daily audience to espouse his views — including controversial takes on COVID-19. Spadea has also has been active in political circles, raising money for GOP candidates.

Think we missed someone? Do you plan on running? Drop us a line at the email addresses below. We’ll promise to update our way-too-soon list ...

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Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @johnsb01.