WASHINGTON

Representative Mikie Sherrill won New Jersey's election for governor Tuesday, marking the second Democratic victory in two bellwether states holding off-year gubernatorial races, according to The Associated Press.

Sherrill, a four-term congresswoman, defeated Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican candidate who had President Donald Trump's backing but lost his third attempt at the governor's office.

The result places the US Navy veteran in line to succeed sitting Gov. Phil Murphy, also a Democrat, who is barred from reelection due to New Jersey term limits.

Voting ended in New Jersey at 8 pm local time (0100GMT Wednesday), but some polling stations were allowed to remain open for another hour over temporary closures after emailed bomb threats were later determined to be unfounded.

In another off-year race for state governor, Democrat Abigail Spanberger defeated Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears to flip the Republican-run state.