Our community has a new champion to celebrate. Jamie Ding, a law student from Lawrenceville, has officially become the greatest 'Jeopardy!' player New Jersey has ever produced, breaking a state record that stood for nearly four years.
On Monday, April 13, 2026, Ding won his 22nd consecutive game on the iconic quiz show, surpassing the previous New Jersey record held by Cris Pannullo, an Ocean City resident who won 21 games in 2022. With total winnings now standing at $627,600, Ding has secured his place as the sixth longest winner in 'Jeopardy!' history.
What makes Ding's run particularly memorable for local fans isn't just his impressive knowledge and quick reflexes—it's his Garden State pride. On March 23, the Lawrenceville resident went viral for taking a playful jab at our neighboring states during an episode.
"New Jersey's doing really well, we're ahead of New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania. If you're from one of those states, then shame on you, build more housing," Ding quipped during the show, sparking cheers from New Jersey viewers and adding a dose of local humor to his already impressive performance.
While Ding has shattered the state record, he still faces a monumental challenge if he hopes to catch the show's all-time leader. Current host Ken Jennings holds the records for most wins with 74 consecutive games and highest total winnings at $2.5 million—milestones that would require months of continued dominance to reach.
Pannullo, the previous New Jersey record holder, accumulated $748,286 during his 21-game streak in 2022, meaning Ding still has room to grow his total winnings even as he extends his winning streak. Each victory brings him closer to joining the elite ranks of game show legends while representing our community on national television.
For New Jersey residents, Ding's success represents more than just trivia prowess—it's a source of local pride and a reminder that our community continues to produce exceptional talent. As he continues his run, we'll be watching and cheering for our hometown champion to keep making history, one correct response at a time.
