NJ-GOV: New Jersey meeting to decide governor debates interrupted by pornographic and racist 'Zoom bomb'

A virtual meeting of the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission on Thursday was interrupted by a “Zoom bomb” of pornographic, racist and antisemitic images and audio. Attorney General Matt Platkin told POLITICO that the incident is being investigated by the Division of Criminal Justice.

The commission was holding the meeting to select its sponsors for two gubernatorial general election debates this fall between Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill, and one debate between the lieutenant governor candidates. Nine sponsors were set to give their presentations to the commission, which would then decide who was awarded a debate.

ELEC members went through the first part of the agenda about other business with no interruption for around 10 minutes. When the first debate presentation by NJ PBS/WNYC/WHYY presentation occurred, there was also nothing out of the norm.

During the second presentation, by WABC-TV New York/WPVI-TV Philadelphia/Rutgers Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, noises like alarms, ringtones and explosions began interrupting the presenters, prompting moderators to tell those who were not meant to be speaking to mute their line multiple times.


https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/24/new-jersey-elec-meeting-zoom-bombed-00474013