Republican Rivals React To Trump Endorsement In NJ Governor Race

NEW JERSEY — Some cheered. Some raged. Others laughed. But whichever camp they landed in, there was no denying that President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Jack Ciattarelli stirred up some big emotions among Republicans in the Garden State this week.

On Monday night, Trump announced that he is endorsing Ciattarelli in the race for New Jersey governor ahead of the June 10 primary election.

>> Read More: Trump Endorses Republican Candidate In NJ Governor Race

Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, is term-limited and can’t run again in 2025. Over the past year, a large field of candidates have been jockeying for position to replace him, including Ciattarelli, who ran against Murphy in 2021.

The president posted a message on social media Monday evening in support of the former state assemblyman, calling him a “terrific America First candidate” and urging people to “Make America great again – elect Jack Ciattarelli.”

Trump touted Ciattarelli’s efforts to “grow our economy” and “cut taxes and regulations,” also pointing to his stances on immigration, “American energy dominance” and the Second Amendment.

Ciattarelli replied that he was “truly humbled and honored” to receive Trump’s endorsement.

“It’s time to unite our party, win big in November, and make New Jersey affordable and safe again,” he said.

Ciattarelli has criticized Trump in the past, calling him a “charlatan” and saying he was “not fit to be president of the United States.” However, he seems to have changed his stance on Trump since those comments and was even seen at the president’s rally in Wildwood in 2020, Fox News reported.

REPUBLICANS: ‘I WILL STILL BE VOTING FOR ME’

Ciattarelli’s rivals in the primary election had a split reaction to the news.

Former radio host Bill Spadea immediately planted his feet in the sand, declaring that he isn’t going anywhere.

Spadea has attempted to label Ciattarelli as a “fake Republican” on social media, recently launching a new campaign ad that blasts his opponent’s stances on taxes and calling himself a “Trump Conservative.”

“Donald Trump’s endorsement comes after a years long effort by Jack to lie about his own record,” Spadea said. “My resolve to fight for the people of New Jersey has never been greater.”

“Remember, in the last year, not one, but two New Jersey candidates failed to capitalize on an endorsement from President Trump and lost big,” Spadea added. “Given Jack’s history as a repeat loser, I believe it will be three losses in a row.”

• See Related: 5 Takeaways From First GOP Debate For NJ Governor

New Jersey Sen. Jon Bramnick, another candidate in the Republican gubernatorial race, has supported Trump in some areas – such as infrastructure, energy and border security – and opposed other moves from the president, including a controversial pardon for people charged in the Jan. 6 riots.

The senator has urged his fellow candidates to campaign with more empathy, saying that “if we don’t show a heart as a Republican… we’re going to get beat.”

Bramnick – an attorney and comedian – put his sense of humor on display when commenting on the president’s support for Ciattarelli.

“I have seen the Trump endorsement and, after careful consideration, I will still be voting for me,” he quipped.

• See Related: Republicans In NJ Town Back Bramnick For Governor

Mario Kranjac, a self-described “political outsider” and “unapologetic supporter of President Trump,” said he plans to continue his campaign and bring his “Make New Jersey Great Again” message to the voters – hopefully earning a second Trump endorsement in the process.

Kranjac, a former mayor in Englewood Cliffs, acknowledged that Ciattarelli will pick up a boost from Trump’s endorsement.

“If there's one thing Jack wants, it's to be governor,” Kranjac said. “After nine years, he's clearly gotten a boost from the president.”

Kranjac also accused “Spadea surrogates” of spending the night “viciously attacking and deriding” the president after his endorsement.

“He should withdraw from the race, apologize to the president, and return the money he took from taxpayers and senior citizens who thought he was genuinely pro-Trump,” Kranjac charged.

DEMOCRATS ON CIATTARELLI: ‘ALL-IN ON MAGA’

Republicans weren’t the only ones who reacted to Trump’s endorsement of Ciattarelli.

U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), who is one of several candidates running for the Democratic nomination for governor, took the chance to bash a potential competitor in the general election.

“We know Donald Trump looks for nothing less than 100 percent loyalty and complete subservience, so it’s no surprise that he found an obedient ‘yes-man’ in Jack Ciattarelli, who he says is ‘all in’ on MAGA,” the congresswoman said.

“This endorsement makes clear that Ciattarelli won’t have the backbone it takes to break with Trump or be an independent voice for New Jersey,” she charged.

American Bridge 21st Century, a rapid response operation in the Democratic Party, also panned Trump’s endorsement.

“While New Jersey’s small businesses are suffering under Donald Trump’s disastrous economic plans, and their health care and Social Security are on the chopping block because of him, Jack Ciattarelli is foaming at the mouth to accept his endorsement,” spokesperson Monica Venzke said.

“Governors are the last line of defense against a tyrannical Republican majority in Washington, but Jack Ciattarelli has proven that the chance of (finally) winning an election is more important than protecting his state,” Venzke added.

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