Jack Ciattarelli Concedes In Tight NJ Governor Race, Will Not Seek Recount

RARITAN, NJ — New Jersey Republican nominee for Governor Jack Ciattarelli announced Friday afternoon he is conceding defeat to Phil Murphy in the tight race and will not seek a recount.

Ciattarelli said he called Murphy earlier Friday to congratulate him and wished him well in serving the people of New Jersey.

"I hate to lose... but I am also someone who believes strongly in our republic and in our democratic process. Enough votes have been counted and there does not appear to be a path to victory or a basis for a recount. Nor do we know of any systemic or widespread fraud. So no, I see no proof that this election was stolen," said Ciattarelli.

As of Thursday, Ciattarelli trails Murphy by roughly 74,000 votes, according to the Associated Press/Politco vote count. Murphy had 1,305,152 votes, or 51 percent of the vote, and Ciattarelli was at 1,231,204 votes, or 48 percent of the vote. The AP called the race as a win for Murphy last week, making him the first Democrat in New Jersey to win a second term in 40 years.

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Ciattarelli held a press conference from the Raritan Municipal Building, 22 First Street in Raritan. The Hillsborough native got his start in politics in Somerset County on the Raritan Borough Council before serving in the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 16th legislative district.

He was welcomed by a standing ovation and hallways covered signs that said "Welcome back Jack."

Ciattarelli also criticized the slow voter count process which lends fuel to conspiracy theories.

"That isn't helping. The fact that we are 10 days past the election and votes are still being counted is a problem for every post-election to come. Voters do deserve better," said Ciattarelli. "We desperately need uniformity and strict reporting guidelines. Doing so will bring order to and most importantly renew faith in our system."

Bob Hugin, Chairman of the New Jersey Republican Party (“NJGOP”), thanked Cittaarelli for his campaign.

"I want to thank my friends Jack and Diane for running a strong, but aboveboard and solutions-oriented campaign that showed voters here the respect and attention they have so sorely lacked under one-party rule. This is a new day for Republicans in the Garden State, and for that, we have Jack Ciattarelli to thank," said Hugin.

While Ciattarelli may have lost this election, he said he is not out of the game.

"My plan is to run for governor in four years," said Ciattarelli.

When a reporter asked if he would instead be interested in running for senate in two years, Ciattarelli said, "I am not interested in going to Washington. New Jersey is my home and I intend to fix it first."

Earlier this week, Ciattarelli's declined to concede. Also, his top legal counsel Mark Sheridan also left the threat of a recount on the table, saying if the final vote margin is narrow enough, the Ciattarelli team may ask for one. Read more: Recount On The Table In NJ Gov Race, Ciattarelli Yet To Concede

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