As the Republican primary for New Jersey’s gubernatorial race heats up, one question on many voters’ minds is whether candidate Jack Ciattarelli will denounce the national Republican racism triad from last week.
The triad in question refers to three incidents that occurred within a week of each other, all involving prominent Republicans making racist or bigoted statements. First, Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene compared mask mandates to the Holocaust, drawing widespread condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans. Next, Arizona Representative Paul Gosar spoke at a white nationalist conference, prompting calls for his resignation from his own party. Finally, Texas Representative Louie Gohmert suggested that the US Forest Service was deliberately starting wildfires to clear land for a high-speed rail project, a conspiracy theory with anti-Semitic roots.
These incidents have put the Republican Party in a difficult position, with many members calling for a stronger stance against racism and bigotry. Ciattarelli, who has positioned himself as a moderate Republican, has yet to comment on the triad specifically. However, he has spoken out against racism and discrimination in the past, and his campaign website emphasizes his commitment to “inclusion and respect for all.”
It remains to be seen whether Ciattarelli will denounce the triad directly, but his campaign has made it clear that he does not condone such behavior. In a statement to NJ.com, his campaign manager said, “Jack Ciattarelli believes that there is no place for hate or bigotry in our society or in our political discourse. He will continue to stand up for what is right and speak out against those who seek to divide us.”
Ciattarelli’s stance on the triad is important not only for his own campaign, but for the future of the Republican Party as a whole. Many voters are looking for leaders who will take a strong stand against racism and bigotry, and failure to do so could cost the party support in future elections.
In the end, it is up to Ciattarelli to decide how he will respond to the national Republican racism triad. But one thing is clear: voters will be watching closely to see whether he lives up to his commitment to inclusion and respect for all.
