Republican Jack Ciattarelli launches long-anticipated run for governor

Former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, who nearly beat Gov. Phil Murphy in the 2021 gubernatorial race, launched his third campaign for governor in Freehold on Tuesday. 

Speaking to a crowd of more than 200 people at the American Hotel, Ciattarelli said if elected governor next year, he would lower business taxes, cut the average property tax bill in half, and overhaul curriculum in public schools.

“It’s time for bold, competent, serious leadership — leadership determined to fix our state,” he said. “It’s time for a Jersey guy who understands what people are up against every day.” 

Ciattarelli, 62, served on the Raritan Borough Council and the Somerset County Board of Commissioners before winning a seat in the Assembly, where he represented the 16th District for seven years until 2018.

He first ran for governor in 2017, losing the GOP primary to former Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, who then lost the general election to Murphy. In 2021, he won the GOP nod for governor and came within three points of beating Murphy in a tighter-than-expected race. The day he conceded his loss to Murphy, he vowed to run again.

During his speech Tuesday, he reminisced about his 2021 campaign and the night of that election.

Republicans “almost pulled it off because of people like you,” he told the cheering crowd.

His announcement comes about two months after Sen. Jon Bramnick became the first Republican to announce a gubernatorial bid, while radio host Bill Spadea is also rumored to be considering a run. On the Democratic side, three men — Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, former Senate President Steve Sweeney, and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka — have already announced their candidacies, and more are expected.

In his speech Tuesday night, Ciattarelli took a shot at his Republican rivals, pledging to be a candidate to unite the GOP — “not one who calls moderate Republicans ‘RINOs’ or calls Trump supporters ‘crazies.’” He also vowed to appoint an attorney general who “supports both police and parents.”

Bramnick and Ciattarelli differ in their views of former President Donald Trump. Bramnick has positioned himself as the anti-Trump candidate — he said this week he would not vote for Trump for president this year — while Ciattarelli endorsed the former president last month. He also attended one of Trump’s rallies in 2020, though he called Trump a “charlatan” in 2015. 

Ciattarelli told reporters he’s not worried about turning away independent voters by backing Trump. He recalled “handling the same issue” during his 2021 run and still coming close to winning.

“There’s no pandemic this time. I believe we can pick up the two or three points we need to deliver,” he said.

He said he wants to revamp school lessons in a way that respects “the role of parents” and ensures “age-appropriate lessons.” Ciattarelli also wants to create a new school funding formula, “one that treats suburban taxpayers fairly.”

He also wants to pass a constitutional amendment requiring eight-year term limits for state lawmakers.

“For us to make these changes, we need to win the governorship and grow our numbers in the state Legislature in 2025,” he said.