President Donald Trump has announced a series of endorsements for the upcoming June primaries, but notably absent from his list is any support for the crowded New Jersey gubernatorial race.
This week, Trump endorsed Mike Lawler in neighboring New York, and even Bruce Blakeman, running for Nassau County executive, but he still isn’t endorsing a candidate for governor in New Jersey.
Sources close to Trump reveal that his silence stems from deep frustration with the three leading Republican candidates—Jack Ciattarelli, Bill Spadea, and Jon Bramnick—who, according to Trump allies, failed to stand by him during his legal battles in 2023 and 2024.
When Trump needed Republican support the most in New Jersey during his fights against government lawfare, instead of lending a helping hand, the three candidates running for New Jersey kicked the President, because it was politically convenient for them at the time.
Now, Ciattarelli and Spadea are backtracking, but Bramnick is holding firm.
Trump faced intense legal scrutiny during that period, with New York pursuing criminal charges against him and New Jersey targeting liquor licenses at his golf courses as part of what his supporters call a coordinated “lawfare” campaign.
While Trump weathered these challenges, he has not forgotten those who distanced themselves or criticized him during what many describe as his “darkest hour.”
“President Trump never forgets loyalty—or disloyalty,” said a source familiar with his decision. “Ciattarelli, Spadea, and Bramnick all threw punches when he was fighting for his life against the deep state. He’s not about to reward that.”
Bill Spadea, a conservative radio host and vocal candidate, reportedly called Trump a “failed president” who “should not run again”. Spadea even supported Trump’s opponent, Ron DeSantis during the primary election for President.
During the height of the legal battles, Jack Ciattarelli, the 2021 GOP nominee, allegedly described Trump as a “charlatan unfit to serve” in conversations that later reached Trump’s inner circle.
Jon Bramnick, a state senator known for his moderate stance, has consistently positioned himself as anti-Trump, openly criticizing the former president’s policies and leadership style.
Trump’s decision to stay silent in the New Jersey race contrasts with his active endorsements in other key primaries, where he has backed candidates who demonstrated unwavering support during his legal and political fights.
Ciattarelli and Spadea have since returned to the Trump camp and claim they have made peace with the President, but Trump’s actions in New Jersey are speaking much louder than words, or the endorsement that will probably not happen.
Political analysts suggest this move is strategic, signaling to GOP hopefuls nationwide that loyalty to Trump remains a prerequisite for his influential endorsement.
The New Jersey gubernatorial primary, already a contentious race, is now further complicated by Trump’s absence. With Ciattarelli emerging as a frontrunner and a divided GOP base, the candidates face an uphill battle to unify the party ahead of the general election.
Ciattarelli, Spadea, and Bramnick have not yet commented on Trump’s decision, but their campaigns are likely bracing for the impact of his snub in a state where his base remains a significant force.
As the June primaries approach, all eyes will be on whether Trump reconsiders his stance—or if he continues to let the New Jersey candidates fend for themselves in a race marked by their past betrayals.
Without a Trump endorsement, Spadea’s campaign appears to be dead, broken, and in absolute panic mode as they head into the final stretch.
