Trump-backed Jack Ciattarelli wins GOP primary for New Jersey governor

Former state Assembly member Jack Ciattarelli has won the Republican nomination for governor of New Jersey a second time, giving him a chance to get over the finish line after falling short four years ago, according to Decision Desk HQ. 

Ciattarelli defeated a few other challengers for the GOP nod, most notably former talk radio host Bill Spadea and state Sen. Jon Bramnick. His renomination wasn’t ever in serious doubt as he led by significant margins consistently throughout the race, had a significant fundraising advantage and earned an endorsement from President Trump. 

During the primary, Ciattarelli faced some attacks particularly from Spadea for not being supportive enough of Trump and his MAGA agenda. Ciattarelli was at one time a critic of Trump, calling him unfit to serve as president. 

But he’s since gradually moved closer to Trump and was seeking his endorsement ahead of Trump’s announcement last month. 

Ciattarelli also pointed to past comments Spadea made criticizing Trump and wanting the GOP to move on from him as their candidate for president in 2024. 

Ciattarelli surprised many observers in 2021 when he came within almost 3 points of upsetting Gov. Phil Murphy (D) in his reelection bid. But he may face more of an uphill battle with Trump in the White House. 

Since the 1970s, New Jersey has elected a governor from the opposite party of the president every gubernatorial election except for four years ago. But the state has also gone back and forth in electing Democratic and Republican governors despite being a lean-Democratic state on the federal level, potentially giving Republicans an opportunity after eight years of Murphy.