Camden County Republicans Back Ciattarelli For NJ Governor

CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ — About a week after former Congressional candidate Claire Gustafson said she would support Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli in his campaign for governor, Ciattarelli has become the candidate of choice for Camden County Republicans.

The Camden County Republican Party has awarded the county line in June's gubernatorial primary to Ciattarelli following a conference call with the organization’s executive board Tuesday morning, Camden County Republican Chairman Rich Ambrosino announced.

“CCGOP’s by-laws state the chairman has the authority to award the organization line to candidates, but I prefer to be more inclusive and usually rely on a screening committee to interview candidates and make a recommendation,” Ambrosino said. “With Doug Steinhardt’s exit from the race a screening committee is no longer necessary, Jack Ciattarelli gets the line in Camden County.”

Gustafson, who ran against incumbent Democrat Donald Norcross in last year’s Congressional race, voiced her support for Ciattarelli after Doug Steinhardt dropped his campaign, citing "unforeseen professional obligations." Read more here: Former Candidate Gustafson Backs Ciattarelli For Governor

“There is no need to pretend. Jack Ciattarelli is getting our line because he is clearly the best candidate in the race and the only one with the ability to unite the GOP and bring enough Democrats and Independents with us to make Phil Murphy one and done in 21,” Ambrosino said. “The other candidates do not need to bother wasting money on a stamp to mail a letter of intent or come to any CCGOP events. There is zero chance we will reconsider.”

Businessman Hirsh Singh has also announced he is running for the Republican nomination in June's primary.

“Now it is time for our organization to get to work and remind every voter that it is Phil Murphy’s policies that killed nursing home residents, permanently closed businesses, raised our taxes and stuck us with debt that our grandchildren will have to pay off,” Ambrosino said. “Thanks to Phil Murphy, New Jersey is broken, and only Jack Ciattarelli can fix it.”