On Monday evening, President Donald Trump endorsed Republican Jack Ciattarelli for the 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial election, positioning him strongly ahead of the June 10th GOP primary.
Ciattarelli, who had previously run as the Republican candidate in 2021 against incumbent Democrat Phil Murphy, is currently in a contested primary. Before Trump’s endorsement, internal polling indicated he was leading his closest rival, former radio host Bill Spadea, by substantial margins of 31 to 28 points in recent months.
Trump expressed his confidence in Ciattarelli on social media, stating, “Everything is 100% (plus!) Jack.” He claimed that Ciattarelli enjoys substantial support from respected leaders in New Jersey and will collaborate with the Trump administration to further the “America First” agenda.
In his announcement, Trump reiterated his full support for Ciattarelli, emphasizing, “He won’t let you down. Make America great again and choose Jack Ciattarelli!”
Ciattarelli reflected on Trump’s support, highlighting the importance of uniting the Republican Party. He emphasized the aim to achieve victory in the upcoming election, making New Jersey more affordable and safer if elected.
Earlier this year, both Ciattarelli and Spadea presented their cases to Trump at a golf club in Bedminster, vying for his endorsement. While Spadea branded himself as a true Trump ally in the race, it appears Trump’s choice has solidified support for Ciattarelli.
In the 2021 election, Ciattarelli experienced a narrow loss to Murphy, who won by just 3 percentage points. His campaign focuses on issues like cost of living, government reform, energy policy, and education accessibility. If nominated, he plans to campaign alongside Trump and has voiced his support for Trump’s policies, particularly concerning border security.
Though Spadea expressed commitment to continue fighting for the “America First” agenda despite Ciattarelli’s endorsement, there are echoes of past criticisms. Historically, Ciattarelli has been scrutinized for his changing stance toward Trump, indicating that many Republicans have navigated similar shifts in loyalty.
New Jersey has traditionally been a Democratic stronghold. However, recent trends suggest a shift to the right, with Ciattarelli’s close loss in 2021 coming after Trump lost the state by a sizable margin to President Joe Biden a year earlier.
Other candidates in the GOP primary include Mario Kranjac, a former mayor aligned with Trump, and state Senator John Bramnick, who represents an anti-Trump faction within the party.
The Republican primary winner will face off against the Democratic nominee, chosen from a crowded field that includes several well-known candidates, including Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop and Congressman Josh Gottheimer. Governor Murphy is not running for re-election due to term limits.
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report has classified the gubernatorial race as “Lean Democratic.”
