Somerville, NJ – Former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli is solidifying his position as the frontrunner in the 2025 New Jersey Republican gubernatorial primary, pulling ahead of rival Bill Spadea with a growing list of county GOP county endorsements. ‘
Ciattarelli’s campaign announced a significant victory Wednesday evening, securing the backing of Hunterdon County’s grassroots Republicans, adding to an already impressive tally that includes Monmouth and Atlantic Counties.
With the June 10 primary approaching, Ciattarelli’s momentum underscores his appeal among party loyalists, though challenges remain in uniting a fractured GOP base.
Ciattarelli, who narrowly lost to Democratic Governor Phil Murphy in 2021, expressed gratitude for the latest endorsement in a statement to supporters: “Proud to join grassroots Republicans from across Hunterdon County tonight and was humbled to receive their endorsement. Thanks to Chairman Plumer and all those who showed up tonight who work hard every day for our party! Together, we will fix this state for all generations.”
The Hunterdon County GOP, led by Chairman Gabriel Plumer, has long been a stronghold for Ciattarelli, who represented parts of the county during his tenure in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2011 to 2018.
A Growing List of Endorsements
Ciattarelli’s campaign has racked up endorsements from several key Republican county organizations, bolstering his claim as the party’s presumptive nominee. Based on available data and recent developments, here’s a list of counties where Ciattarelli has secured GOP backing as of March 6, 2025:
- Hunterdon County: A unanimous endorsement from the county convention on March 5, 2025, reflecting Ciattarelli’s deep ties to the region from his legislative days. In 2020, he won support from six elected officials here, including County Clerk Mary Melfi and Sheriff Fred Brown, signaling continuity of support.
- Monmouth County: In 2021, Ciattarelli earned the endorsement of GOP Chairman Shaun Golden and key leaders like County Clerk Christine Hanlon. Recent reports suggest this support has held firm for 2025, reinforced by his strong performance in the county during past campaigns.
- Atlantic County: Ciattarelli locked up this endorsement in 2020 with backing from County Chairman Keith Davis, State Senator Chris Brown, and County Executive Dennis Levinson. His campaign’s grassroots efforts in Atlantic have paid dividends, reversing a third-place finish at the 2017 convention.
- Somerset County: As Ciattarelli’s home county, Somerset has been a bedrock of support. In 2020, he garnered endorsements from 87 Republican officials, including State Senator Christopher Bateman and former Governor Donald T. DiFrancesco. This backing appears intact for 2025.
- Burlington County: Ciattarelli won the organization line here in 2017 and 2021, and party insiders indicate he remains the favored candidate among local GOP leaders.
While these endorsements are confirmed through historical data and recent campaign momentum, Ciattarelli’s team has not yet released an exhaustive list for 2025. Counties like Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, and others where he previously secured support in 2021 may also be in play, though updates are pending. The abolition of New Jersey’s “county line” system by a federal judge in 2024 means these endorsements carry symbolic weight rather than guaranteed ballot placement, but they still signal organizational strength and voter outreach capacity.
Ciattarelli’s chief rival, conservative radio host Bill Spadea, has not matched this pace but holds two notable victories: Ocean County and Mercer County. Ocean County’s GOP, led by influential Chairman George Gilmore, endorsed Spadea on February 25, 2025, with a vote of 129 to Ciattarelli’s 83.
This win reflects Spadea’s alignment with Gilmore’s machine and the county’s conservative base, though tensions linger from Ciattarelli’s past opposition to Gilmore’s leadership.
Spadea’s campaign has leaned into a populist, Trump-aligned message, contrasting with Ciattarelli’s moderate-conservative platform.
However, Spadea’s decision to skip most county conventions—except Ocean—has drawn criticism from GOP chairs who value the traditional process, potentially limiting his broader appeal.