RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli pledged his support for Columbus Day and Italian American traditions during remarks at the annual Paisan Convention, held over the weekend in Rutherford.
The event, known informally as “PaisanCon,” drew hundreds of Italian Americans from across New Jersey to celebrate cultural heritage with food, music, and speeches from community leaders.
Ciattarelli, whose grandparents emigrated from Italy more than 100 years ago, used the event to reaffirm his ties to the Italian American community and rally support.
“New Jersey is home to over a million proud Italian Americans — including my grandparents,” Ciattarelli wrote in a post shared after the event. “When I’m Governor, one thing is certain — Columbus Day will always be celebrated in the Garden State.”
The former state assemblyman and 2021 Republican nominee for governor has positioned cultural issues as a key part of his campaign platform. His comments at PaisanCon come amid continued national debate over the status of Columbus Day, with some states and municipalities replacing it with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
In Rutherford, Ciattarelli received an enthusiastic reception as he met with attendees and local organizers. The convention featured booths from Italian-owned businesses and nonprofit groups focused on preserving Italian language education and cultural history in New Jersey.
PaisanCon, which began as a small local gathering, has grown in recent years into a prominent event drawing political figures and public personalities from across the state.
Cultural ties and campaign momentum
The candidate’s appearance follows other recent efforts to build momentum with ethnic and faith-based communities ahead of the state’s 2025 gubernatorial primary.
New Jersey’s Italian American population remains one of the largest in the nation, with deep roots in Essex, Bergen, and Monmouth counties.
Ciattarelli has made repeated visits to Italian American events in recent months, emphasizing issues like heritage education, family businesses, and community traditions.