In his third try for the office, former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli may be seen as the front runner in the upcoming primary for the Republican nomination to be governor. But it all may come down to the decision of one person: President Donald Trump.
Ciattarelli is hoping for Trump’s endorsement and has been cozying up to Trump this primary season, despite his less-than-enthusiastic Trump support in the past.
“I supported the president back in 2020, supported him again in 2024,” Ciattarelli said recently. “I was with him recently and thanked him greatly for two promises made and promises kept. He’s put a temporary hold on wind farms off the Jersey shore, and he’s been beating up on New York Democrats for congestion pricing.”
There is equal speculation that Trump may not make any endorsement at all, with both Ciattarelli and his rival from the right — radio personality Bill Spadea — mostly in agreement on issues like immigration, parent rights and school funding.
Still, Ciattarelli may have one advantage: the Republican political machine. Ciattarelli has invested in the GOP’s party organization system, and it has liked him back.
Ciattarelli will join former radio personality Bill Spadea and state Sen. Jon Bramnick (R-Union) in NJ Spotlight News’ “Conversations with the Gubernatorial Candidates” this Wednesday, May 7 at 7 p.m. on NJ PBS and the NJ Spotlight News YouTube channel. This is one of the mandatory public events for candidates receiving public financing.
Editor’s note: This post was updated to include newer video images.
