In a move that could significantly impact the political landscape of New Jersey, President Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli.
The endorsement, which was announced on Monday, could potentially alter the dynamics of the forthcoming June primary and the general election in November. Trump's endorsement was made public via a post on Truth Social, where he described Ciattarelli as a "terrific America First Candidate" and expressed his fondness for New Jersey. He also assured that Ciattarelli would work in close collaboration with him and his administration.
According to The New York Times, this endorsement could serve as a significant boost for Ciattarelli, a 63-year-old former state Assembly member who narrowly lost to the incumbent Democratic Governor, Phil Murphy, by a mere 3% in the 2021 elections. In response to Trump's endorsement, Ciattarelli expressed his gratitude, stating that he was "truly humbled and honored." He also called upon Republicans to unite in their efforts to "make New Jersey affordable and safe again."
This development could potentially be a setback for Ciattarelli's primary rivals, particularly conservative talk radio host Bill Spadea, who had been actively seeking Trump's endorsement. Another contender, State Sen. Jon Bramnick, has been openly critical of Trump, positioning himself as a moderate alternative.
Trump's influence is significant in New Jersey, a state where Democrats currently hold a voter registration advantage of over 800,000. Despite Trump's improved performance in the 2024 elections, where he reduced his losing margin from 16 to 6 points compared to four years prior, public opinion regarding his presidency remains divided. A recent poll conducted by Stockton University revealed that 52% of respondents disapproved of Trump's performance, with a significant 62% expressing concerns over the deteriorating economy.
Interestingly, Ciattarelli had previously distanced himself from Trump during his 2021 gubernatorial campaign, even going as far as calling Trump a charlatan who was "not fit to be President." However, following Trump's surprisingly strong performance in New Jersey in the last elections, Ciattarelli has sought to align himself more closely with the President. This shift was evident when Ciattarelli shared images of a meeting with Trump at his Bedminster golf club on social media in March, signaling his intent to court the MAGA base.
Trump, aware of Ciattarelli's initial reluctance, emphasized in his endorsement that Ciattarelli, after understanding MAGA, has gone "ALL IN, and is now 100% (PLUS!)." Meanwhile, Spadea has been highlighting Trump's past criticism of Ciattarelli in his advertisements, including Trump's previous assertion that Ciattarelli might have won in 2021 had he sought the President's support earlier. Trump had previously stated about Ciattarelli: "This guy never came to ask for my support. When MAGA sees that, they don't like it."
Despite these challenges, Ciattarelli has been leading in fundraising among Republicans, having raised approximately $3.5 million, nearly double the amounts raised by Bramnick and Spadea. Republicans are also optimistic due to recent voter registration trends; since 2021, over 100,000 residents have registered as Republicans, reducing the Democrats' advantage.
With Governor Murphy barred by term limits from seeking reelection, Republicans view Trump's endorsement of Ciattarelli as a crucial factor in potentially reclaiming New Jersey's governorship for the first time since Chris Christie left office in 2018. The Republican primary in New Jersey is set to commence on June 10.
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