Ciattarelli Sees Positive Shift Ahead of Gubernatorial Race
SPRING LAKE, N.J. — Jack Ciattarelli seems hopeful as he gears up for what he believes will be his victorious third attempt at the New Jersey governorship.
In a recent interview, Ciattarelli reflected on his past race in 2021, where he narrowly lost to Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy. He noted, “The landscape has changed significantly, which is the biggest lesson I’ve learned.”
After a lively rally at Spring Lake Manor, which had to be moved indoors due to rain, Ciattarelli expressed optimism about his campaign’s current momentum in Monmouth County, a trend he hopes to see continue as Election Day approaches.
“This time around, we aren’t dealing with a pandemic or stay-at-home orders, so I can campaign freely—and that’s what I intend to do,” he stated. “Also, we’re not up against an incumbent, which changes the dynamics quite a bit.”
Ciattarelli highlighted the reduced apathy this time, saying the close nature of his previous race shook people into realizing their vote matters. “I feel more energized this time because folks understand we really can win,” he added.
Having previously served three terms in the New Jersey State Assembly, he has faced challenges in past races. Though he lost the Republican nomination in 2017, he secured it in 2021 and ran a surprisingly tight race against Murphy.
In a Fox News town hall, he pointed out that his internal polling indicates much stronger results compared to four years ago, alongside a record number of mail-in ballots from Republicans, suggesting a favorable outcome.
“According to our internal polling, we have a significant opportunity here,” he told supporters at the Crystal Point Yacht Club. “More Republicans are returning mail-in ballots than before, which is promising,” he remarked, while acknowledging that Democrat votes would also be counted during an early voting period.
He credited his previous election campaign for attracting resources and raising awareness, noting, “If we start Election Day within striking distance, we’ll secure the win.” However, he acknowledged that Democratic rival Mikie Sherrill has enlisted high-profile supporters, including former President Barack Obama and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, to aid her campaign.
Ciattarelli reminded voters that winning ultimately comes down to the candidates themselves. “It doesn’t matter who she brings in to help,” he said. “This is about what the candidates do on the ground.”
Despite President Trump’s relatively low-profile support—conducting only a telephone rally instead of appearing in person—Ciattarelli maintains that he remains unaffected by potential repercussions from Trump’s presence in the political arena.
While Democrats aim to leverage Trump’s unpopularity in New Jersey, Ciattarelli attributed any potential struggles to the failures of the current administration. “The narrative should focus on the administration’s shortcomings—this is where the real issues lie,” he emphasized.
Responding to comments from Jersey City Mayor Stephen Fulop about the election’s dynamics, Ciattarelli argued, “Trump’s role is minimal. What truly matters is the administration’s record, which has been a total failure.”
He referenced Trump’s positive impact on New Jersey, noting the changes in congestion pricing and tax deduction caps that benefited the state.
Trump has publicly endorsed Ciattarelli, branding Sherrill as a “false, corrupt, radical left Democrat” and warning that her election could lead the state into decline.
Currently, Sherrill holds a narrow lead of 3.6 percentage points over Ciattarelli, yet he remains upbeat, pointing to recent polls that have shown him gaining ground. “This state tends to underrepresent Republicans due to its Democratic majority,” he informed his supporters. “But I believe we’re precisely where we need to be.”
