In a fiery exchange during the final gubernatorial debate in New Jersey, Democratic Representative Mikie Sherrill and Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli clashed over the state's opioid crisis.
Sherrill sought to connect Ciattarelli to the epidemic, alleging that one of his medical publishing companies facilitated addicts' access to opioids.
The debate, which took place less than a month before the gubernatorial election, saw Sherrill and Ciattarelli discussing their backgrounds and the opioid issue. Sherrill, in her 30-second argument, contended that Ciattarelli's business dealings contributed to the opioid crisis in the state.
She said, "My opponent likes to talk a lot about being a businessman, but I think what New Jersey doesnt know is much about his business, how he made his millions, by working with some of the worst offenders and saying that opioids were safe, putting out propaganda, publishing their propaganda while tens of thousands of New Jerseyans died."
According to the Daily Caller, during Ciattarelli's 2021 gubernatorial campaign, critics alleged that his company disseminated training materials containing misleading pharmaceutical industry narratives about opioids. Galen Publishing, a medical publishing company co-founded by Ciattarelli, was accused of downplaying the potential risks of opioid use.
Ciattarelli, in response to Sherrill's accusations, retorted, "First of all, shame on you." He criticized Sherrill for her stance on border security during the Biden administration, linking it to the fentanyl crisis.
He said, "During the Biden administration, she had no problem whatsoever with tens of thousands of people crashing our border each and every day, not knowing what impact they had in our communities with regard to fentanyl crisis, fentanyl abuse, fentanyl distribution, vaccination rates and the like. Talk to your local police. Talk to your county prosecutors in New Jersey."
Ciattarelli defended his professional career, stating, "Since the border has been secured, fentanyl crisis has decreased significantly. She supported those open border policies with regard to everything she just said about my professional career, which provided my family. Its a lie. Im proud of my career."
Sherrill, undeterred, maintained her accusations, stating that she believes New Jersey's children "deserve better," and telling Ciattarelli, "I think the people you got addicted and died deserve better than you."
Ciattarelli sold Galen Publishing in 2017, as reported by Insider NJ. After the debate, Sherrill was questioned about her allegations and whether she had evidence that Ciattarelli's former company's publications contributed to the opioid crisis or resulted in the deaths of New Jersey residents, according to the New York Post.
The gubernatorial race between Ciattarelli and Sherill has been narrowing, with Sherill's previous lead diminishing. A September Emerson College poll showed both Sherill and Ciattarelli holding 43% support among voters, with 11% undecided.
The outcome of this election will undoubtedly have significant implications for the future of New Jersey, particularly in terms of addressing the opioid crisis and other pressing issues.
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