In their first formal debate, the two major party candidates for New Jersey governor, Democratic U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill and Republican former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, kept their focus on affordability and taxes.
“Make all retirement income tax free the way it is in Pennsylvania number one. Freeze your property taxes for life once you hit age 70. Allow seniors to deduct 100% of their property taxes on their New Jersey tax return,” said Ciattarelli.
Polls have shown affordability has been top of mind among voters. New Jersey has among the highest property taxes in the nation and past actions by lawmakers and governors have helped lessen, but not stopped, annual increases in most places. Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicated more than half of renters in the state are considered cost-burdened, paying at least 30% of their income on housing.
The cost of electricity rose an estimated 17% this year due to increased demand and decreased supply in the region that includes New Jersey.
Each candidate shared plans to drive down rising energy bills, how to improve educational outcomes for students, and whether they would support the vaccine schedule recommended by health care experts – both said yes to the vaccines.
When asked whether they would continue the Immigrant Trust Directive that limits how New Jersey’s state and local police assist federal officers in detention arrests:
“Executive order number one on Day One, we’re getting rid of the Immigrant Trust Directive here in New Jersey. I believe the Immigrant Trust Directive, us having sanctuary cities, us being a sanctuary state, only encourages illegal immigration and restricts our local law enforcement in a number of different ways,” said Ciattarelli.
“I’ve prosecuted people who were criminals here, who were undocumented, who were deported. Because I care deeply about public safety. But what I also believe deeply in is due process. The due process rights that are in our Constitution,” said Sherrill.
With this gubernatorial election, one of only two in the nation, considered to be a referendum on President Donald Trump, the candidates took turns framing the administration’s actions to their benefit.
The candidates are scheduled to meet one more time in the debates required under the state’s public financing laws. Ciattarelli said he is willing to add one more debate.
The second debate is slated for Wednesday, Oct. 8 and broadcast live from the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center on both WABC and WPVI. It will be streamed on all digital platforms, including websites abc7ny.com and 6abc.com respectively, mobile apps and streaming channels for both stations as well as ABC News LIVE. WXTV Univision 41 New York will livestream the debate with Spanish Captioning.
Sunday’s debate was sponsored by the New Jersey Globe, Rider University and On New Jersey. You can watch the full debate here.
For more about Ciattarelli and Sherrill, read more on the NJ Spotlight News voter guide here.
