Garden State Times

Mike Testa, state senator for New Jersey's 1st District, expressed concerns about the state's direction in a post on X. He said that residents do not want New Jersey to become the "California of the East Coast" and warned that electric vehicle mandates could harm the state's trucking industry.

"New Jerseyans DO NOT want to be the, 'California of the East Coast," said Testa, District 1. "We MUST follow in the footsteps of the Trump Administration. let people drive the car they want to CHOOSE. A full blown electrical vehicle mandate in New Jersey will destroy our states' robust trucking industry."

According to InsiderNJ, Governor Phil Murphy’s administration has implemented the Advanced Clean Cars II and Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rules. These regulations stipulate that by 2035, all new light-duty vehicles sold in New Jersey must be electric. For medium- and heavy-duty trucks, manufacturers are required to ensure an increasing share of sales are zero-emission vehicles—starting at 7% in 2025 and rising to between 40% and 75% by 2035, depending on vehicle class.

The Common Sense Club highlighted the significance of the 2023 New Jersey State Senate race in Legislative District 11, where Republican Steve Dnistrian challenged incumbent Democrat Vin Gopal. This race was viewed as a potential turning point for New Jersey’s legislative direction, with some considering it a test of whether the state would continue along a progressive path akin to California’s policy approach. The outcome was seen as indicative of New Jersey’s broader political and policy alignment.

A March 2025 article by Shore News Network raised concerns about Democratic leadership in New Jersey, particularly Governor Phil Murphy. The article argued that their progressive policies are misaligned with many residents' preferences. It claimed that the state's shift toward policies similar to those in California—such as high taxes, heavy regulation, and broad government mandates—has alienated a significant portion of the population. It also noted recent voter behavior and public sentiment as indications that New Jerseyans increasingly favor a more moderate approach to governance.

Testa has served as a state senator representing New Jersey’s 1st Legislative District since winning a special election in 2019. A lifelong resident of Vineland, he is the managing partner at his family’s law firm, Testa Heck Testa & White, P.A., where he practices alongside his father. According to NJLeg, Testa serves on the Budget and Appropriations, Judiciary, and Labor committees and is known for focusing on economic issues, public safety, and constitutional rights.