TRENTON, N.J. — With the final Republican gubernatorial primary debate set for Tuesday night, former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli heads in with renewed momentum following former President Donald Trump’s endorsement last week — a development widely seen as a decisive blow to rival Bill Spadea’s campaign.
Trump’s endorsement, made public on Monday, May 12, has reshaped the race in the closing weeks before the June 10 primary. Ciattarelli, who already held a strong lead in polls and fundraising, has been solidified as the frontrunner, according to multiple reports.
“President Trump solidified Ciattarelli’s frontrunner status, endorsing him,” reported NJ Spotlight News. The New Jersey Globe noted that Trump’s support “put his thumb on the scale,” with Ciattarelli up 30 points over Spadea in an April Rutgers-Eagleton poll.
Spadea, a former radio host and vocal Trump supporter, had built his campaign around courting the former president’s endorsement. The failure to secure it has drawn strong reactions from political observers and news outlets.
“Many are suggesting that this now is effectively the death knell for the campaign of former radio host Bill Spadea,” NJ101.5 reported on May 13.
Spadea slips as Ciattarelli secures frontrunner role
Spadea’s recent rally with Michael Flynn was sharply criticized, with POLITICO writing on May 13 that the event “drew about 100,000 people, minus 99,900.” The outlet followed up days later by calling Ciattarelli the “prohibitive favorite” in the race.
According to The New York Times, the Trump endorsement is “likely to solidify Mr. Ciattarelli’s odds in the June 10 Republican primary.”
Trump’s decision came after internal GOP pressure and speculation he would remain neutral. Courier Post reported that Trump endorsed Ciattarelli “despite intense lobbying from Spadea.”
Commentary from Spadea’s former NJ101.5 colleague Jeff Deminski added personal context to the political blow: “Both Ciattarelli and Bill Spadea were battling for Trump’s endorsement. The better man won.”
As candidates prepare for their final debate appearance, polls, endorsements, and momentum appear firmly in Ciattarelli’s favor.