WARREN COUNTY, NJ – Former New Jersey GOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt today announced he is no longer running for Governor to unseat Governor Phil Murphy in 2021. Steinhardt’s campaign was based on his support for President Trump. He attacked his opponent Jack Ciattarelli for his comments against the President over the past four years, calling him a charlatan. Ciattarelli admitted last week that he didn’t vote for Trump in the 2016 Presidential Election, but now is hoping he can win the conservative votes at the Jersey Shore and northwest Jersey at the party’s annual convention in March.
“Last month I was thrilled to announce our campaign for Governor, and the positive response from grassroots activists and donors has been overwhelming. While our strong standing in this race makes this decision even more heartbreaking, unfortunately, unforeseen professional obligations have made it untenable for me to continue in this race as a candidate for Governor,” Steinhardt said. “To everyone who supported our campaign, thank you. Your message was heard loud and clear, and you do have a voice. Together we will rise above, and we will ultimately Take Back New Jersey.”
Steinhardt’s departure leaves the showdown now between Atlantic City business man Hirsh Singh, an avid supporter of President Donald J. Trump and Jack Ciattarelli, a man who once said Trump was unfit to be President of the United States.
Joe Rullo is also another contender for the job. Rullo and Singh both ran against Ciattarelli in the 2017 Gubernatorial primary election.
“Doug Steinhardt just dropped out. Now its us versus Rino NeverTrumper Jack Ciaterelli,” Joe Rullo said. “TheRulloRepublicans in NJ have an opportunity to send a message of principal that we are done with fake Rino Republicans.”
In 2020, Singh was able to beat the Republican establishment at several county conventions, whether or not he can pull off a win against Ciattarelli who has the backing of most of the shore based GOP leaders, who have mostly abandoned the President remains to be unseen.