RARITAN, N.J. — President Donald Trump gave his full endorsement to Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli in a tele-town hall Monday night, calling on New Jersey voters to turn out in record numbers as early voting begins for the GOP primary.
The president also took some time tonight to correct the record, that he is only endorsing Ciattarelli, clarifying misleading ads from his opponent, Bill Spadea.
Speaking to supporters just hours before polls opened Monday, Trump praised Ciattarelli as a “true champion” who is prepared to flip the traditionally blue state. The endorsement, delivered in a 10-minute phone call, emphasized Trump’s belief that New Jersey is “ready to pop out of that blue horror show.”
“We’re less than 24 hours away from the start of early voting in the very important primary election to select your Republican candidate for governor. It’s a big deal,” Trump said. “I’m asking you to get out and vote for a true champion for the people of your state, Jack Ciattarelli. He’s been a friend of mine, and he’s been a real success story.”
The president, who has a summer residence in Bedminster, spoke warmly about New Jersey, calling it a “special place.” He urged Republicans to use early voting options or vote on primary day, Tuesday, June 10.
“Vote on election day, Tuesday, June 10th,” Trump said. “This year’s election for governor is critical for New Jersey’s future. You’ll decide whether New Jersey is a high tax, high crime, sanctuary state — if you can believe it — or whether Jack Ciattarelli makes the Garden State affordable and family-friendly and safe.”
Ciattarelli promises to end sanctuary state status
Ciattarelli, who narrowly lost to incumbent Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy in 2021, is making a second run for the state’s top job with renewed backing from the GOP’s most influential figure. In his remarks, the former Assemblyman from Somerset County pledged to take immediate action to reverse New Jersey’s sanctuary policies and realign state priorities.
“As I promised you, when I’m governor, executive order number one on day one — we will not have sanctuary cities, nor will we be a sanctuary state,” Ciattarelli said directly to Trump. “And my attorney general will not be suing the White House for your executive orders.”
Ciattarelli also criticized New Jersey Democrats for what he called “25 years of failed leadership,” citing economic stagnation, overdevelopment of suburban communities, education decline, and rising crime as core issues of concern to voters across the state.
“Democrats have controlled the legislature for 25 years. Phil Murphy was here for eight years. And yet all we see is failure,” Ciattarelli said. “We see economic failure. The economy is not growing. We see housing failures. We’re overdeveloping our suburbs. We see a failure of public safety.”
He specifically referenced incidents over Memorial Day weekend along the Jersey Shore involving youth flash mobs, which local officials said disrupted boardwalk areas in multiple towns. “We’re going to be back to a law and order state that keeps our communities safe,” Ciattarelli said.
Trump: ‘Jack will make New Jersey great again’
Trump praised Ciattarelli’s record as a municipal council president, county commissioner, and state legislator, noting his experience in governance and business. The president said Ciattarelli would fight “radical left Democrats” and reverse what he described as a decline in state education, infrastructure, and public safety.
“Jack is the most experienced and battle-tested candidate in the race,” Trump said. “He’s also a successful entrepreneur who actually knows how to balance a budget — and he always seems to be able to balance a budget.”
According to Trump, Ciattarelli will “lock in a 1% property tax cap,” crack down on undocumented immigrants involved in criminal activity, support police, and oppose New York’s congestion pricing scheme, which the president called “ridiculous.”
“He’ll also stand up to radical teachers’ unions and champion quality education and teachers that really do the job,” Trump said. “So kids are going to learn to read, to write, and to love America.”
Trump emphasized that his support for Ciattarelli was unequivocal amid rumors that he may have backed other Republican candidates in the primary. “Other people are going around saying I endorse them. That’s not true,” he said. “Jack Ciattarelli has my complete and total endorsement.”
In response, Ciattarelli thanked Trump and expressed confidence that the GOP could reclaim the State House for the first time in nearly three decades.
“I so very much appreciate your faith, your trust, your confidence,” Ciattarelli said. “Working in partnership with you, we’re going to address those issues. And I will not let you down, nor will the Republicans across New Jersey.”
Early voting opens with high stakes for GOP
With six days of early voting scheduled to run through Sunday, Ciattarelli emphasized the need for high turnout ahead of Tuesday’s primary election.
“Early voting starts tomorrow. That will conclude on Sunday — six straight days of early voting,” Ciattarelli said. “Get yourself and your friends out there to vote. And then next Tuesday, June 10th, is primary day.”
He said the campaign would shift to general election mode the very next day, launching a statewide tour.
“On June 11th, I will begin my general election campaign to barnstorm all across the state,” he said. “We’re going to send a loud and clear message, not only across New Jersey, but across the country, that New Jersey is ready for change.”
In his closing remarks, Ciattarelli said he would focus on core issues such as public health and safety, education, and infrastructure, aiming to make the state more affordable for businesses, retirees, and families.
“It’s all about public health and safety. It’s all about public education. It’s all about infrastructure,” he said. “And when we take that approach, we can downsize the cost of our government. We can lower taxes and make New Jersey a better place to do business, a better place to raise a family.”
Trump echoed that message, stating, “With your help, Jack will have an incredible victory in November and make New Jersey great again.”
Ciattarelli concluded the call by again thanking Trump and reiterating the campaign’s readiness for the final stretch.
“We’re going to finish strong,” he said.
