The four Republican candidates for governor don’t seem to like each other.
Tuesday night’s debate quickly descended into a barrage of insults and taunts – a far cry from the Democratic lovefest Sunday night.
Jack Ciattarelli, who lost a close race in 2021, appears to be the frontrunner for the Republican
nomination.
Others on stage were radio host Bill Spadea, state Sen. Jon Bramnick and former state Sen. Ed Durr.
Accusations began flowing quickly.
Ciattarelli repeatedly brought up some satire – a website called PhonyBill.com, which he created to condemn Spadea.
The best way to grasp the tone is to understand that during the debate, Spadea called Ciattarelli a “liar.”
Ciattarelli with Spadea in mind said, “This is an indecent man.”
At the start of the debate, Spadea stressed that he’s been a Donald Trump supporter since he came down the escalator.
Ciattarelli questioned that, pointing to comments Spadea has made criticizing the president.
That prompted Spadea to say that the:
“The loudest, most disruptive, annoying person does not win.”
Ciattarelli quickly shot back:
“That’s exactly what you are on the radio.”
This drew out Bramnick, who said this primary should not be about who loves Trump the most, but who loves New Jersey the most.
Bramnick, of course, does not “love” Trump, which he made clear later in the debate.
Without prompting, Bramnick criticized the president’s pardoning of Jan 6 defendants.
There were groans from the studio audience when Bramnick brought up the issue, but to his credit, he pushed on, saying he would never support pardons for those who “violently attack police officers.”
None of the other candidates touched that issue.
When actual issues surfaced, there was more or less agreement.
All four candidates pledged to end “sanctuary cities,” get rid of DEI mandates and overhaul current housing regulations
On education – most recently a hot button issue for conservatives – it was noted that Bramnick was one of a small number of Republicans who backed the “Freedom to Read” bill.
Supporters say the bill shields librarians from lawsuits from book banners.
Republicans claim it sanctions pornography.
When Durr pushed the issue, Bramnick said Durr should read the bill.
The two men also clashed over one of those innocuous rites of politics – a barbecue or “pizza party” that Bramnick attended with the governor.
Bramnick’s point was simple – you should not hate people if you disagree with them politically.
Durr disagreed. saying that he does, indeed, hate the governor for what he did “to the children,” during COVID.
That was five years ago now, and as such, it is debatable if the pandemic is still a viable political issue.
This roundabout was fun to watch, but here is an essential question:
How do Republicans win?
Spadea said the GOP has to build on Trump’s momentum. Yes, he lost New Jersey, but not by much.
Ciattarelli said you have to unify the party. OK, but you need more than that.
Bramnick said his Union County district leans Democratic in presidential elections, but that he still wins. Do not forget about that.
Durr said the key is nominating someone not beholden to the establishment – like him.
Speaking of corruption, the candidates were presented with a softball question about Phil Murphy and four former governors recently coming together with George Norcross for a groundbreaking ceremony for a Cooper University Health Care expansion project in Camden.
Norcross is under indictment.
So, really now, doesn’t this look awful?
It was a pretty easy question but only Durr made a forceful comment:
“This state is as crooked as can be.”
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The race for the GOP nomination for governor in New Jersey is heating up, with tensions rising among the candidates vying for the top spot. Insider NJ has reported on the growing conflict and division among the contenders, as they battle it out for the chance to represent the party in the upcoming election.
One of the main sources of contention among the GOP candidates is their differing views on key issues facing the state. From taxes and spending to healthcare and education, each candidate has their own vision for New Jersey’s future, leading to clashes and disagreements on how best to move the state forward.
In addition to policy differences, personal rivalries and past grievances have also come into play, further fueling the animosity between the candidates. Accusations of backstabbing, betrayal, and underhanded tactics have been hurled back and forth, creating a toxic atmosphere within the party.
The division among the GOP candidates has not gone unnoticed by voters or political observers. Many are concerned that the infighting will weaken the party’s chances of winning the governorship in the general election, as it could alienate potential supporters and drive away undecided voters.
Despite the discord within the GOP ranks, some candidates are trying to rise above the fray and focus on their own campaigns. They are emphasizing their qualifications, experience, and plans for the state, in an effort to distinguish themselves from their rivals and appeal to voters looking for a strong leader.
As the primary election draws near, the conflict and division among the GOP governor candidates in Insider NJ are likely to intensify. It remains to be seen whether the party can overcome its internal strife and unite behind a single candidate, or if the infighting will ultimately cost them the chance to reclaim the governorship.
