Defeated New Jersey Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Jack Ciattarelli took a shot at former Governor Chris Christie during his concessions speech on Friday. When asked what his opinion was about the Chris Christie feud with former President Donald J. Trump, Ciattarelli made his point clear.
“You’ll have to ask Chris Christie,” he said. “I’m more worried about New Jersey.”
The post-election dig comes after Christie and other Republicans in Christie’s inner political circle avoided the entire Ciattarelli election, hinting at a possible rift between Christie and Ciattarelli. Ciattarelli had previously rejected the notion of ill-will between the two candidates.
During Christie’s final year in office, the former governor seemingly abandoned the state and never looked back as he sought higher office.
It was revealed in October that Christie had been raising money for New Jersey Republicans down ballot, but did not raise any big ticket money for Ciattarelli.
“Also of note is who Christie hasn’t raised money for: The man hoping to be the next Republican governor, Jack Ciattarelli. Christie and his wife Mary Pat, however, have donated to Ciattarelli: $2,600 each. That’s the max you can give to a legislative candidate, but you can give up to $4,900 to gubernatorial candidates,” Politico reported.
It’s not hard to imagine why. In 2016, Ciattarelli called upon Christie to come back to New Jersey or resign.
“This endorsement concerns me in that it could mean he’ll be out of state a great deal again,” Ciattarelli told Politico at the time. “If that’s the case, it’s time for him to really give consideration for what’s in the best interests of New Jersey and step down and let [Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno] be governor.”