23-07-2025
Jack Ciattarelli taps Morris County sheriff James Gannon as Lt. Governor running mate
Republican gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli announced that Morris County Sherriff James Gannon will join him on the ticket as the lieutenant governor nominee.
Ciattarelli formally announced Gannon, 64, as his running mate at Johnnies Tavern in Boonton on Wednesday morning.
Gannon was first elected sheriff in 2016 and is serving his third term. He is a resident of Democratic nominee Rep. Mikie Sherrill's district.
Among those in attendance was Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schilllari, a Democrat until this week.
Introduced by state Sen. Anthony Bucco, Ciattarelli said that the Republican party sent a clear message six weeks ago in the primary that they were united and coming for victory.
'We're a campaign that's about people, not power or politics,' he said. 'Jim Gannon has always been a man of the people. This campaign has always been about a vision for New Jersey, not division. Jim Gannon has always been about unity.'
Gannon said he learned the importance of taking care of people as a child from his father, a detective in the NYPD.
'Although I didn't recognize it at the time, those days with my dad were the beginning of a career in public service,' he said. 'I stand before you honored and humbled to be your candidate for lieutenant governor for the state of New Jersey.'
Gannon said that under one party Democratic rule, New Jersey is 'broken' and that Trenton Democrats are 'spending and borrowing too much' and 'taxing and tolling us to death.'
Ciattarelli isn't just looking to secure the governorship for himself, either. He said with the wind at their back, he has faith that not only he and Gannon win but the Republicans have the potential to flip enough seats in the General Assembly, which is also on the ballot, to secure a majority in that chamber.
Who is James Gannon?
Gannon first ran for public office in 2016 after the retirement of Sheriff Edward Rochford, who served eight terms. Rochford was preceded by John Fox, who served for 18 years. During his tenure, Gannon has prioritized programs like Hope One, which provides free Narcan training and Naloxone kits, as well as access to addiction recovery and mental health programs.
A lifelong Morris County resident, Gannon grew up in Boonton Township with three siblings. He has an associate's degree in law enforcement from County College of Morris and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration from William Paterson University.
Gannon got his start in law enforcement in Boonton Township before moving to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force and later Novartis Pharmaceuticals, as the Global Head of Security Risk.
He has one daughter and two grandkids. His wife of 26 years died in 2010 after a battle against multiple sclerosis.
If Ciattarelli is elected, Gannon would be the first man to serve as lieutenant governor in New Jersey since the post was formally created in 2005. It was first on the ballot in 2009.
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During his unsuccessful campaign in 2021, Ciattarelli ran with former state Sen. Diane Allen.
With the filing deadline looming, Sherrill has until July 28 to name her lieutenant governor pick.
Staff writer William Westhoven contributed to this report.
Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@
This article originally appeared on Jack Ciattarelli names James Gannon running mate in NJ governor race
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