The New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police (NJ FOP) endorsed Jack Ciattarelli for governor on Tuesday, signaling a shift in the state’s law enforcement landscape. Ciattarelli, who has previously served in the state legislature and has backing from Donald Trump, expressed his gratitude for the support, stating he feels “honored” by the trust placed in him by the organization’s leadership.
He emphasized his commitment to law enforcement, promising to partner closely with them to enhance safety across New Jersey. He noted the current challenges faced by law enforcement, mentioning declining recruitment, retention, and morale. “We can change it all in honor of the authority, law, order and, above all, our trained professionals serving to protect our communities,” he said.
Interestingly, the NJ FOP has not always aligned with Republican candidates, having backed Democrat Phil Murphy in 2016. Murphy won the governor’s race in 2017, maintaining a consistent lead in the polls.
In a public statement, Ciattarelli asserted that law enforcement requires strong political support, vowing to provide that solidarity as governor. The 63-year-old business owner previously ran in the 2017 Republican primary and secured the party’s nomination in 2021 but fell short against Murphy.
On his first day in office, he pledged to dismantle the state immigration trust and limit local police collaborations with federal immigration authorities. He has also indicated he would instruct the Attorney General to withdraw cases against the Trump administration, though he made it clear that his loyalty remains with New Jersey.
Responding to recent polling data, Ciattarelli commented on Rep. Mikie Sherrill’s predictions regarding his campaign, highlighting fluctuations in the polls that could affect the momentum of the race.
