New Jersey Gubernatorial Race Heats Up
Fortrey, New Jersey – This year, the influence of President Donald Trump looms large over the New Jersey gubernatorial race, despite him not being on the ballot. The Republican candidate, Jack Ciattarelli, who has Trump’s backing, claims that his opponent, Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill, is using the former president as a scapegoat.
“If you get a flat tire on your way home from work today, she’ll blame the president for that. It seems like there’s nothing she doesn’t pin on him,” Ciattarelli remarked during an interview this week.
This election, along with Virginia’s, is among the few statewide contests happening in November. These races are often seen as a measure of the president’s popularity and a precursor to the upcoming midterms.
Sherrill countered this week, stating, “As Trump caused all this damage to our country, Republican politicians like Ciattarelli cheered him on.” She pointedly accused Ciattarelli of being beholden to Trump during their early debates.
Yet, while Trump isn’t directly campaigning, he is, in a way, at the forefront of the race. During a recent visit to Fort Lee, Ciattarelli mentioned that Trump “certainly wants to talk about it all.” He seems to believe that linking to Trump will resonate with voters, which he believes could bolster his chances against the current governor, Phil Murphy, whom he almost defeated four years ago.
Ciattarelli acknowledged the significance of Trump’s support while downplaying it in terms of race dynamics, stating, “We have a property tax crisis in our state. Trump has nothing to do with it.” He highlighted other pressing issues like crime rates, maintaining that they aren’t influenced by the president.
As the debate unfolded, Ciattarelli maintained that Sherrill aims to nationalize the race, frequently mentioning Trump to rally her base. “If this were a drinking game, you’d be drunk by November,” he joked, referring to how often she mentions Trump.
Despite New Jersey leaning Democratic in past elections, Trump made gains from a 16-point loss in 2020 to just a six-point deficit last November. Ciattarelli isn’t shying away from Trump’s support; at an event at Trump National Golf Club, he expressed optimism about utilizing the president’s influence.
As the campaigns ramp up, Sherrill has focused on addressing inflation and making life more affordable, declaring a state of emergency on her first day if elected. “I’m committed to transparency and accountability,” she promised during their debates.
On the other hand, Ciattarelli criticized the Democratic leadership, saying they have been in control for too long without delivering results. “We have the highest property taxes in the nation,” he asserted, attributing the problems to Sherrill and the Democrats.
Polls indicate a tight race between Sherrill, a former helicopter pilot, and Ciattarelli, a former state legislator and CPA. Ciattarelli vows to keep a rigorous campaign schedule, stating, “We touch on four counties every day and share our vision for fixing New Jersey.”
