Democratic Mayor Backs Republican Candidate in New Jersey Gubernatorial Race
Dover’s Democratic mayor has decided to support Republican Jack Ciattarelli in what has become a contentious race for governor in New Jersey.
Mayor James P. Dodd expressed his backing for Ciattarelli, who is endorsed by former President Donald Trump, citing concerns over escalating taxes, sanctuary city policies, and what he perceives as a lack of effective solutions from his own party.
“I had the chance to meet with Jack Ciattarelli when he visited Dover, and he explained his vision for fixing issues in New Jersey,” Dodd shared during an appearance on “Fox & Friends First.” He emphasized that Ciattarelli possesses real solutions for the state’s problems, which he thinks are desperately needed at this moment.
Meanwhile, Ciattarelli is running against Democrat Mikie Sherrill, in a race that’s tightening as Election Day approaches. He previously lost to Democratic Governor Phil Murphy in 2021, and Murphy, whose term is set to expire, has endorsed Sherrill in this upcoming election.
Dodd highlighted immigration as a critical reason for his support. “From day one, Jack has promised to end the sanctuary city policy, making New Jersey no longer a sanctuary state. We need our law enforcement to perform their duties effectively.”
During a debate, Sherrill refrained from clearly addressing whether she would uphold New Jersey’s immigration trust directive, a policy that has faced scrutiny for restricting state and local police cooperation with federal immigration officials.
Dodd also mentioned the changing political landscape in his community, located about 40 miles from Manhattan. “Dover is primarily a Hispanic area, and we’ve started to see many local Hispanics leaning towards Republicans, as the Democratic party seems to be failing them,” he noted, hinting at a possible shift in voter sentiment.
While he previously supported Sherrill, Dodd is now sounding a critical note, pointing out that the current election cycle hasn’t offered credible solutions. “Honestly, I don’t hear any real solutions from Mikie,” he remarked.
Though Dodd has faced backlash from fellow Democrats, he maintains that his commitment is to choose the best candidate for the job. “I’ve heard some comments from my party, but I’ve always believed in supporting the right people,” he said.
Although he remains a registered Democrat, Dodd hinted that he might switch parties. “I haven’t made a decision yet, but if I decide to align with the Republicans, many council members would likely join me,” he stated.
