TRENTON, N.J. — Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli and his running mate, James Gannon, have formally requested that the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) expand the state’s debate schedule ahead of the November general election.
In a letter addressed to ELEC Chairman Thomas H. Prol and Commissioners Ryan Peters, Norma R. Evans, and Jon-Henry Barr, the GOP ticket called for a significant increase in the number of debates beyond what state law mandates.
“At a minimum, we are willing to double that number in both cases and begin as soon as possible to accommodate the more robust schedule,” the letter reads.
Current New Jersey election law requires two gubernatorial debates and one lieutenant governor debate. Ciattarelli and Gannon are requesting at least four for the top of the ticket and two for the second-in-command race.
“The people of New Jersey are rightfully frustrated with the direction of our state after eight years of Governor Murphy and twenty-five years of one-party Democrat control of our State Legislature,” the letter states.
The request also includes criticism of what the candidates described as a lack of transparency from opponents, calling for more frequent public forums to allow voters to assess candidates directly.
“We are hopeful that Congresswoman Sherrill and Mr. Caldwell will agree,” Ciattarelli and Gannon wrote, referring to the presumed Democratic ticket.
The commission has yet to respond publicly to the request or announce any modifications to the existing debate schedule.
Jack Ciattarelli and James Gannon are pushing for an expanded debate slate in the New Jersey governor’s race, citing voter frustration and a need for transparency.