In a pivotal moment for the New Jersey Republican primary,President Donald Trump announced his endorsement of Jack Ciattarelli on Monday, calling him a “terrific America First Candidate” and solidifying Ciattarelli’s position as the frontrunner in the race for governor.
The endorsement, made via a post on Truth Social, marks a significant boost for Ciattarelli’s campaign as the June 10 primary approaches, potentially reshaping the dynamics of a heated contest.
“Jack Ciattarelli is a WINNER, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement – HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, ELECT JACK CIATTARELLI!” Trump declared, praising Ciattarelli’s alignment with the MAGA movement. “Jack, who after getting to know and understand MAGA, has gone ALL IN, and is now 100% (PLUS!). He is strongly supported by the most Highly Respected Leaders in New Jersey and, as your next Governor, Jack Ciattarelli will work closely with me and the Trump Administration.”
The endorsement comes after months of intense competition between Ciattarelli and his main rival, former radio host Bill Spadea, both of whom met with Trump at his Bedminster golf club in March to court his support. Ciattarelli, a former state assemblyman who narrowly lost to Democratic Gov.
Ciattarelli responded on social media, expressing gratitude for the endorsement. “Truly humbled and honored to receive President Trump’s very strong endorsement today,” he wrote on X. “It’s time to unite our party, win big in November, and make New Jersey affordable and safe again. When I’m Governor, we will.”
The endorsement has sparked calls for party unity, with Kitchen Table Conservatives, a super PAC aligned with Ciattarelli and co-founded by former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway, urging Spadea to exit the race.
“Now is the time for Republicans to unite around President Trump’s endorsed candidate – Jack Ciattarelli,” said Carlos Cruz, a spokesman for the PAC. “President Trump said it best – Jack is the best candidate to ‘STAND TALL against the Radical Left Democrats’ and ‘ensure a Big victory.’ The truth is, Bill Spadea’s consistent, repeated attacks against President Trump starting in 2021 did not go unnoticed, despite Spadea’s attempts at spin. We call on Spadea to do the right thing tonight – endorse Jack, drop out of the race, and return the millions in taxpayer-provided matching funds propping up his failed campaign.”
Trump endorses losers in New Jersey – Bill Spadea
Spadea, however, remained defiant, vowing to continue his campaign despite the setback.
“Donald Trump’s endorsement comes after a years-long effort by Jack to lie about his own record,” Spadea said in a statement. “My resolve to fight for the people of New Jersey has never been greater. I intend to continue fighting for the America First agenda because that is what’s best for the state and our nation.”
Spadea also pointed to recent examples of Trump-endorsed candidates losing in New Jersey, including Christine Serrano Glassner in the 2024 Senate primary, suggesting Ciattarelli’s endorsement may not guarantee victory.
The primary race has been marked by fierce debates over loyalty to Trump, with both Ciattarelli and Spadea facing scrutiny for past criticisms of the former president.
Ciattarelli, once a vocal Trump critic who called him a “charlatan” in 2015, has since embraced the MAGA agenda, while Spadea, who positioned himself as a staunch Trump supporter, has been criticized for calling Trump’s first term a “failure” in 2021.
The endorsement appears to settle the debate, with Trump acknowledging Ciattarelli’s evolution: “Jack, who after getting to know and understand MAGA, has gone ALL IN.”
New Jersey’s political landscape adds weight to Trump’s endorsement. The state, which Trump lost by just six points in the 2024 presidential election, has shown signs of shifting rightward, fueling Republican hopes of capturing the governor’s mansion for the first time since Chris Christie’s 2013 re-election.
With Gov. Phil Murphy term-limited, the 2025 race is seen as a prime opportunity for the GOP, and Trump’s influence could galvanize the party’s base.
Democrats, meanwhile, are gearing up to capitalize on Ciattarelli’s ties to Trump.
“Donald Trump endorsing Jack Ciattarelli sends a clear signal to people in New Jersey that he’ll always put loyalty to Trump first,” said Ryan Radulovacki, a spokesperson for the New Jersey Democratic State Committee. The Democratic primary features six candidates, including Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, and former state Senate President Steve Sweeney, setting the stage for a contentious general election on November 4.