“We do need to be united.”
So said Jack Ciattarelli last weekend in Morris County where he won a “straw poll” endorsement for governor.
Ciattarelli probably didn’t need the endorsement by the county’s Republican Clubs Alliance.
The primary is precisely two months away, but Ciattarelli is acting like a general election candidate.
For example, he already is talking about not only winning the governor’s race, but bringing many Republican Assembly candidates with him.
All this confidence is not surprising. Ciattarelli would seem to be in the middle lane and that lane is pretty wide.
Once considered not a Donald Trump fan, Ciattarelli apparently has mended fences with MAGA.
Trump recently posed for a photo with Ciattarelli, and the candidate also has gotten endorsements from Jersey conservatives like Sens. Mike Testa and Joe Pennacchio.
More tellingly, he said in an InsiderNJ interview that he backs the president’s tariffs, which have riled Wall Street and not in a good way.
Viewing this with apparent anger is one-time radio host Bill Spadea.
He is going after Ciattarelli big time, and you can expect that to continue.
A recent social media post claims Ciattarelli, while in the state Assembly, opposed aiding victims of Sandy, and that he deviated from staunch conservative positions by supporting physcian assisted suicide and gun buyback programs.
In short, Spadea said that Ciattarelli is “bought by the elites,” but “rejected by the people.” He has lost two earlier gubernatorial bids – in the 2017 primary and the 2021 general.
Spadea probably wishes “Jack” was his only problem.
Mario Kranjac, the former mayor of Englewood Cliffs, got in the race, and is still in it.
That was an issue, because Spadea unsuccessfully challenged his petitions.
There was a good reason for that.
Kranjac calls himself a “Trumpy mayor.” So, any vote he gets would likely come from Spadea’s base of support.
After the petition challenge failed, Kranjac compared Spadea to Adam Schiff.
It’s hard to see any connection, but Schiff is unpopular in MAGA-world, so that’s got to be it.
Let’s not forget Jon Bramnick, who has never been a Trump fan.
More relevantly, he says he knows how to beat “far left” Democrats with a “bold, common sense agenda.”
And he recently made a bold prediction:
“Under Governor Bramnick, NJ Transit trains will run on time.”
The core of Bramnick’s candidacy is that he has the best chance of winning – in November.
As he puts it:
“Did you know that Jon Bramnick won re-election in a district Biden won by 17 points.”
Yes, the GOP primary campaign is two months away and we will see a lot between now and June 10.
But it’s Nov. 4 that really counts. Right?
The race for the GOP nomination for Governor in New Jersey is heating up as candidates vie for the opportunity to take on incumbent Governor Phil Murphy in the upcoming election. With a crowded field of contenders, the primary race is shaping up to be a competitive and closely watched contest.
One of the frontrunners in the race is Jack Ciattarelli, a former state assemblyman who has positioned himself as a moderate Republican with a focus on fiscal responsibility and economic growth. Ciattarelli has garnered support from party leaders and donors, and has been actively campaigning across the state to build name recognition and support among voters.
Another candidate to watch is Hirsh Singh, a businessman and former candidate for U.S. Senate who is running on a platform of conservative values and opposition to Governor Murphy’s progressive policies. Singh has been vocal in his criticism of the current administration and has positioned himself as a staunch defender of individual liberties and limited government.
Rounding out the field are candidates like Phil Rizzo, a pastor and political newcomer who has gained attention for his strong conservative views and grassroots support, and Brian Levine, the mayor of Franklin Township who is running on a platform of local government experience and pragmatic solutions to the state’s challenges.
As the primary race heats up, candidates are engaging in debates, town hall meetings, and campaign events to make their case to voters. Issues like taxes, education, healthcare, and infrastructure are dominating the conversation, with candidates offering their own solutions and visions for the future of New Jersey.
Ultimately, the GOP primary race for Governor in New Jersey is shaping up to be a competitive and closely watched contest. With a diverse field of candidates offering different perspectives and approaches, voters will have a choice in selecting the candidate they believe is best suited to take on Governor Murphy in the general election. Stay tuned as the race unfolds and candidates make their final push for support in the weeks leading up to the primary election.
