In a significant political development, Everett E. Garnto, Jr., the Mayor of Garfield, New Jersey, has declared his departure from the Democratic Party.
He has also publicly endorsed Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican candidate for governor. This announcement marks a notable shift in the political landscape of Garfield, one of the largest municipalities in Bergen County.
The announcement was made during Ciattarellis rally in Garfield, which, according to Breitbart, was attended by hundreds of local residents. Michael Casey, New Jersey State Director for Early Vote Action, described the rally as a "MAJOR endorsement for @Jack4NJ in a city that has been a longtime Democrat stronghold."
Garnto, a retired police officer with 29 years of service in Garfield and a 12-year tenure as President of the local Police Benevolent Association, was elected to the city council as a Democrat in November 2024. His colleagues later selected him as mayor.
A lifelong resident of the city, Garnto also served as a school board member and vice chair of the Garfield Housing Authority before his election to the city council.
Garnto's decision to switch parties is significant in Garfield, a city of over 30,000 residents and the fifth-largest municipality in Bergen County. Despite Governor Murphy's narrow victory in the city by just over 150 votes in 2021, Donald Trump won Garfield by nearly nine points in 2024.
The local voter registration trends and Garnto's own admission of supporting Trump in the last presidential election highlight the city's changing political climate.
At the rally, Garnto expressed his dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs, stating that "the state is broken." He cited economic pressures and the rising cost of living as the primary reasons for his decision to leave his longtime party.
He criticized the "sky-high taxes, soaring electric bills, and less safe communities" that he believes are the result of Governor Phil Murphy's policies over the past seven and a half years. "New Jerseyans deserve better," Garnto told the crowd, adding that Ciattarelli represented "the right leader at the right time."
Earlier in the week, Ciattarelli had appeared on Fox News, where he criticized Murphy's record and hinted at the upcoming endorsement. He stated, "People are upset all across the state with Phil Murphys failed policies in the last seven and a half years, all of which have been supported by my opponent."
He specifically mentioned the rise in electricity bills, attributing it to Murphy's energy agenda, which he believes has burdened residents financially.
Garnto's endorsement of Ciattarelli follows that of Dover Mayor James Dodd, making him the second Democratic mayor to support the Republican nominee in recent days. Ciattarelli's campaign has also received support from former Democratic assemblyman and mayor of Roselle, Jamel Holley, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825, and President Donald Trump.
Ciattarelli, addressing the rally attendees, stated that the support from Democrats indicates widespread dissatisfaction with the state's leadership. "Its not just Republicans who are crying out for change," he said. "Its unaffiliated, independent voters and yes, even moderate Democrats whove come to the realization that this current administration has failed."
He emphasized that his campaign's focus is on presenting voters with a vision for lowering costs and restoring affordability in the state.
Login