TRENTON, N.J. — Bill Spadea called for President Donald Trump to resign after January 6th. He called Trump a failed president. He openly supported Florida Governor Ron DeSantis against Trump in 2024 GOP Primary election.
Today, Spadea’s ego appears to large to realize why President Trump endorsed his opponent, Jack Ciattarelli.
Now, he’s vowing to fight Trump’s endorsement, and so are his small band of zealots.
Spadea immediately lashed out at the president once learning of the endorsement.
Spadea, who has long positioned himself as an unwavering Trump loyalist, dismissed the endorsement as backing “a poll, not a plan,” emphasizing his commitment to restoring “common sense” to New Jersey’s government. With just 28 days until the June 10 primary, Spadea’s defiance sets the stage for a contentious final stretch in a race already marked by fierce rivalry.
Spadea also said Trump has a bad record when it comes to endorsements, pointing out Trump’s support of ‘losers’ in previous primary elections in New Jersey.
On Monday, Trump announced his support for Ciattarelli, a former state assemblyman and the 2021 GOP gubernatorial nominee, via a Truth Social post. “Jack Ciattarelli is a terrific America First Candidate running to be the next Governor of a State that I love, NEW JERSEY!” Trump wrote, praising Ciattarelli’s alignment with MAGA principles and his potential to secure a “Big Victory” against Democrats.
The endorsement, widely seen as a potential game-changer in the primary, bolsters Ciattarelli’s frontrunner status, as polls consistently show him leading Spadea by double digits.
Spadea, however, remains undeterred. In a statement posted on X, he declared, “We fight. 28 days to go. @realDonaldTrump
endorsed a poll not a plan. We have the only plan and core principles to restore common sense to New Jersey government. Let’s go win. Join us!”
The former New Jersey 101.5 host doubled down, arguing that Trump’s endorsement was misguided and pointing to past New Jersey candidates who failed to win despite Trump’s backing, including Christine Serrano Glassner in the 2024 Senate primary.
“Given Jack’s history as a repeat loser, I believe it will be three losses in a row,” Spadea said, referencing Ciattarelli’s unsuccessful 2017 and 2021 gubernatorial bids.
Spadea has also lost two bids for office, but unlike Jack, never won a general election in New Jersey. Ciattarelli served multiple terms in the New Jersey State Assembly.
The fight for Trump’s endorsement has been a central theme of the primary, with both candidates aggressively courting the former president’s support.
In late March, Ciattarelli and Spadea separately met with Trump at his Bedminster golf club, each seeking to prove their loyalty to the MAGA movement. Ciattarelli, once a vocal Trump critic who called him a “charlatan” in 2015, has since embraced the president, while Spadea has branded himself as a Trump supporter “since the escalator” in 2015, but sharply criticized Trump when it was politically convenient.
Trump did acknowledge Spadea’s support, but that was when Spadea was a radio host, not yet declared as a political candidate. Trump has not publicly spoken about Spadea since he announced his political campaign for governor.
The rivalry has dominated the primary, with Ciattarelli and Spadea trading barbs over their Trump credentials and records. Ciattarelli’s campaign has highlighted his near-upset of Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy in 2021, framing him as a unifying figure capable of winning in November. Spadea, meanwhile, has positioned himself as an anti-establishment outsider, criticizing Ciattarelli as a career politician beholden to the GOP “machine.” The tension was evident in recent debates, where the two clashed over who is the true Trump ally, often overshadowing policy discussions.
Trump’s endorsement has sparked mixed reactions among New Jersey Republicans. Some, like the pro-Ciattarelli super PAC Kitchen Table Conservatives, co-founded by former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway, called on Spadea to drop out and unite behind Ciattarelli. “Now is the time for Republicans to unite around Trump’s endorsed candidate,” the group stated.
Ciattarelli, for his part, welcomed Trump’s endorsement, stating on X, “Truly humbled and honored to receive President Trump’s very strong endorsement today. It’s time to unite our party, win big in November, and make New Jersey affordable and safe again.” His campaign has leveraged strong name recognition and county-level endorsements, positioning him as the favorite to succeed term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy.
Political analysts suggest Trump’s endorsement could solidify Ciattarelli’s lead, given the president’s 90% favorability among New Jersey Republicans and polls showing 65% of GOP primary voters are more likely to support a Trump-endorsed candidate.
For now, Spadea’s message is clear: the fight is on.
“My resolve to fight for the people of New Jersey has never been greater,” he said. “I intend to continue fighting for the America First agenda because that’s what’s best for the state and our nation.”