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CNN
11-06-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Trump-backed Jack Ciattarelli wins GOP NJ Governor primary, CNN projects
Jack Ciattarelli will win the Republican gubernatorial primary in New Jersey, according to a projection from the CNN Decision Desk. His victory was propelled by President Donald Trump's endorsement and sets him up for another chance at leading the Garden State after losing narrowly four years ago. Ciattarelli, a former state representative, beat a field of Republican contenders including former radio host Bill Spadea and state Sen. Jon Bramnick. While New Jersey shifted toward Trump last November, the state has a track record in recent decades of picking candidates from the party that lost the White House the year before. One exception is Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy's narrow reelection victory against Ciattarelli in 2021 by less than 4 Ciattarelli can be successful in November will likely depend on his ability to turn out voters loyal to Trump while also expanding support with people who have not embraced the president and his agenda. 'He endorsed me because of the coattails – he endorsed me because I'm the only person who can beat the Democrats in November,' Ciattarelli said of Trump's support at the Republicans' final debate. Support for Trump was a point of contention in advertisements and during feisty debates. Ciattarelli and Spadea repeatedly sparred over their allegiance to the president, seizing on past criticisms they had each leveled at Trump at various points in their long record of public commentary. 'Bill Spadea attacks Donald Trump,' intoned one ad from Ciattarelli, seizing on soundbites of Spadea suggesting Trump shouldn't run in 2024. 'Loyalty matters to President Trump,' Spadea said in one of his ads, replaying comments from Ciattarelli criticizing Trump amid his rise during the 2016 campaign. Bramnick, a more moderate candidate, didn't compete for Trump's endorsement the same way. He remarked at a February debate: 'Do you think the people of New Jersey want the debate to be who loves Donald Trump the most, or who loves New Jersey the most?' The attacks continued even after Trump endorsed Ciattarelli in a social media post with about a month left in the race. 'Jack, who after getting to know and understand MAGA, has gone ALL IN, and is now 100% (PLUS!),' Trump wrote. 'As your next Governor, Jack Ciattarelli will work closely with me and the Trump Administration to advance our America First Agenda.' 'You're going to hear, I'm sure, a lot about a certain endorsement that happened last week,' Spadea said at the final debate a week after the post. 'You might even hear some bragging.' He went on, 'Let me be very clear: the president endorsed a poll, a poll that was conducted and paid for by Jack's campaign.' But Ciattarelli responded by proudly wielding Trump's support. 'President Trump endorsed me because he knows I'm the only person that can unify our party, he endorsed me because of the energy I bring to the campaign, he endorsed me because of the money we're able to raise to deliver a win,' he said. The GOP primary also showcased the key issues that some blue-state Republicans are emphasizing in their argument to voters, including immigration, crime, and government spending. At one debate, Ciattarelli called for a New Jersey 'equivalent' to DOGE – 'that's what we need in the state of New Jersey,' he remarked.
CBS News
10-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
New Jersey Republican gubernatorial candidates fighting until polls close in primary election
The race to become New Jersey's next governor is heating up as voters headed to the polls Tuesday for the primary election. With Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy term-limited, six Democrats and five Republicans are now vying for the state's top job. President Trump determined to turn New Jersey Republican Jack Ciattarelli was at a local pizza restaurant earlier in the day, talking to voters. He has been leading in the polls on the GOP side and has President Trump's endorsement. Two other candidates are also bringing in some numbers, and they told CBS News New York's Christine Sloan they are fighting until the polls close at 8 p.m. President Trump is determined to turn New Jersey Republican after losing to Kamala Harris in the last election by just six points. "New Jersey's ready to pop out of that blue horror show," Trump said during a tele-rally with Ciattarelli. The president endorsed Ciattarelli over more conservative candidate Bill Spadea, a former radio and TV show host. Spadea told Sloan he spoke to Mr. Trump before the endorsement. "Our conversation was about some of the disagreements we've had in the past, and clearly the president is not interested in someone disagreeing with him on any issue," he said. Moderate Republican Jon Bramnick, known for speaking out against Trump, told Sloan he's fighting for the soul of the Republican Party. "You tell people that you're a traditional Republican. You believe in three things, which is lower taxes, law and order, and smaller government. And you treat people with respect," he said. Ciattarelli running after previously losing to Gov. Murphy Ciattarelli ran against Murphy in the 2021, losing by only a few percentage points. Polls have shown him leading all the other candidates. He spoke to CBS News New York political reporter Marcia Kramer on "The Point," saying if elected, he'd seek a new school funding formula to cut property taxes and give seniors and first-time home buyers a break. The other candidates also have plans to cut property taxes, one of the big issues in the state.
CBS News
10-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
President Trump is looming large in both New Jersey gubernatorial primaries
More than 450,000 voters have already cast ballots in the New Jersey gubernatorial primaries either by mail or during early voting, but there is one person who looms large and he's not on the ballot. Regardless of the side of the aisle you are on, President Trump is a big factor in the campaigns of the six Democrats and five Republicans running to replace Gov. Phil Murphy. President Trump figures prominently in ad wars More than $85 million has been spent on ads, making it the most expensive election in state history, and the president is at the center of many of them. "Loyalty matters to President Trump," Republican Bill Spadea says in one ad. "Bill, you've had my back from the beginning," Trump responds. Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer says in one he's "fighting for New Jersey to stop Donald Trump's tariffs and chaos. Now he's ready for the big one." Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill says in another she's going "to stand up to Trump and Musk with all I've got." Dr. Matthew Hall, chairman of the Political Science Department at Seton Hall University, said he's not surprised Mr. Trump has become the focal point of the gubernatorial primary elections for both major parties. "I'm not particularly surprised that Trump has sort of taken over the New Jersey election. He tends to suck the oxygen out of all politics," Hall said. "We're so polarized right now that you have groups of people who think that Donald Trump walks on water, and groups of people who want to drown him in that water." Mr. Trump likely sees N.J. as a prize for many reasons Last November, Mr. Trump had a stronger-than-expected showing in the Garden State, losing to Democrat Kamala Harris by only six points after losing to Joe Biden in 2020 by 16. And with only two governors up for election this fall -- New Jersey and Virginia -- Mr. Trump is placing his thumb on the scale. He endorsed Republican poll leader Jack Ciattarelli even though Ciattarelli called him a charlatan when he ran against Murphy four years ago. During a recent tele-rally with Ciattarelli, the president alluded to the election's importance to him and his presidency. Read more: Newark Airport, NJ Transit issues discussed at New Jersey Republican gubernatorial debate "It's being watched, actually, all over the world, because New Jersey is ready to pop out of that blue horror show and really get in there and vote for somebody that's going to make things happen," Trump said. Kramer explained why Mr. Trump chose to endorse Ciattarelli over Spadea, who has been an ardent supporter, saying it's simple math and a desire to win. Ciattarelli is way ahead in the polls and he came within three points of beating Murphy four years ago. As for why it's so important for the candidate the president supports to win, Kramer said in many ways she thinks Mr. Trump sees it as a referendum on his first five months in office, adding he's mindful of what turning a traditionally blue state red could do for his publicity. She said it would be a big feather in his cap and would also help him next November during the midterms if he can have bragging rights for New Jersey having a Republican chief executive. What voters think about the President Trump X-factor The question is: will Mr. Trump's endorsement affect how people vote? "He is currently leading the country, so there's a lot of people that do follow him," one New Jerseyan said. "I guess so I don't know," another said. "No, I don't think it will," another said. "Yes, it might," another added.
Associated Press
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Trump backs Jack Ciattarelli in New Jersey's Republican primary for governor
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — President Donald Trump endorsed Republican Jack Ciattarelli in New Jersey's GOP primary, saying he's gone 'ALL IN' on the 'Make America Great Again' agenda. Trump's endorsement came Monday in a Truth Social post and gives Ciattarelli's campaign a boost as he competes against two other Trump supporters and a state senator who has been critical of the president. The president's endorsement and Ciattarelli's gratitude to Trump in a social media post of his own reflect the president's influence in the party, even in Democratic-leaning New Jersey. Trump's endorsement hinted at Ciattarelli's earlier criticism of Trump during his first run for the White House a decade ago, when he said Trump wasn't fit for the presidency. 'Jack, who after getting to know and understand MAGA, has gone ALL IN, and is now 100% (PLUS!),' Trump said in the Truth Social post. Ciattarelli said in a post on X that he was 'truly humbled and honored' by the endorsement. 'It's time to unite our party, win big in November, and make New Jersey affordable and safe again,' he said. Bill Spadea, a former radio host who's also running in the June 10 primary and has called for replicating the president's approach in New Jersey, suggested the president was backing Ciattarelli because some polling indicated he was in the lead. '(Trump) endorsed a poll not a plan,' he said on X. 'We have the only plan and core principles to restore common sense to New Jersey government.' Trump's endorsement comes after he met earlier this year with Ciattarelli at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club. Ciattarelli's campaign has said it sought the president's endorsement and pointed to his performance in the 2024 election in which the president flipped former blue counties red. New Jersey has been reliably Democratic in U.S. presidential and Senate elections. But its odd-year gubernatorial contests have seesawed between Democrats and Republicans. Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, a two-term incumbent, cannot seek a third-straight term under state law. Democrats are also locked in competitive primary. In addition to Ciattarelli and Spadea, former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac and state Sen. Jon Bramnick are seeking their party's nomination. Ciattarelli, 63, is an accountant and small business owner who served in the state Assembly and county office. He ran unsuccessfully for governor in the previous two cycles. In 2021, he came within a few percentage points of defeating Murphy. In 2017, he lost in the GOP primary to then-Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno.
CBS News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Newark Airport, NJ Transit issues discussed at New Jersey Republican gubernatorial debate
Three top Republican candidates for New Jersey governor participated in a fiery debate Wednesday. The contenders sparred on hot-button issues, including immigration, affordability, fixing NJ Transit and the recent problems at Newark Liberty International Airport. Candidates support Trump's agenda Former gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli, state Sen. Jon Bramnick, and former radio and TV host Bill Spadea each fought for GOP support and welcomed the backing of President Trump. "Two million people voted for Donald Trump. He's done right by New Jersey with the wind farms, congestion pricing. Yes," Ciattarelli said. "If the president of the United States decides that Jon Bramnick's his man, hey, thank you very much," Bramnick said. "As the only guy here who's been with Trump, supporting him since the escalator in 2015, absolutely," Spadea said. President Trump had a strong showing in New Jersey in November, losing the state by just 6 points, and that had the candidates explaining what they would do regarding the administration's agenda on immigration. "I will follow the lead of what Tom Homan and the president have set out, and yes, we'll use the state police and the National Guard if necessary to deport criminal aliens," Spadea said. When asked if there was a middle ground, Spadea said, "There's always a middle ground." "Bad guys, they should be deported. There are people that have to be deported ... I'm not getting in front of ICE, but I'll tell you this, everyone deserves a hearing," Bramnick said. "The president's first goal is to make the country safe again. He's gotta do that by securing the border," Ciattarelli said. Gubernatorial candidates address mass transit issues The debate came as NJ Transit is negotiating to try to avert a possible labor strike, and Newark Airport is facing flight chaos. Each candidate was asked what a governor could do. "Apparently for many years, the FAA has allowed the infrastructure at Newark not to keep up with modern technology," Bramnick said. "Why don't we have our air traffic controllers working 12-hour shifts? Our cops and our nurses both work 12-hour shifts. Right now, these guys are limited to 10 hours," Spadea said. "I believe leadership makes a difference. With competent leadership, we can fix our mass transit systems," Ciattarelli said. New Jersey voters will have only a few more weeks to make up their minds. The Democratic gubernatorial debate will be held on Sunday, May 18, in Newark. Both the Republican and Democratic primaries will be held June 10.
