Jack ciattarelli, gop candidate for new jersey governor
Jack Ciattarelli, GOP Candidate for New Jersey Governor

New Jersey’s Growing List of Democrat Leaders Backing Jack Ciattarelli as Sherrill Campaign Enters Kamala-style Panic Mode

Posted by
1 min read
October 19, 2025

TRENTON, NJ – A growing list of Democratic officials has broken ranks to endorse Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli, signaling a late shift in New Jersey’s political landscape as polls tighten in the final stretch of the race.

The endorsements, which include mayors, commissioners, and former legislators, have stirred tension within Democratic circles and injected fresh momentum into Ciattarelli’s campaign.

Meanwhile, Mikie Sherrill’s camp has ramped up efforts, bringing in high-profile Democrats from across the nation to rally support as the race narrows.


Key Points

  • Multiple Democratic officials have endorsed Republican Jack Ciattarelli for governor.
  • The list includes North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco, Dover Mayor Jim Dodd, and former Assemblyman Jamel Holley.
  • Mikie Sherrill’s campaign is drawing national Democratic figures to bolster support.

List of Democratic endorsements
Among those endorsing Ciattarelli are North Bergen Mayor and former State Senator Nick Sacco, Dover Mayor Jim Dodd, Garfield Mayor Everett E. Garnto Jr., Branchville Mayor Anthony Frank, and Branchville Councilman Jeffrey Lewis. Also backing him are North Bergen Commissioner Allen Pascual, Hudson County Commissioner Director Anthony Vainieri Jr., and West New York Commissioner Marcos Arroyo.

The list continues with former Assemblyman Jamel Holley, former Newark Councilman Oscar James, former West New York Mayor and Assemblyman Sal Vega, and former West New York Commissioner Alberto Rodriguez.

National figures rush to aid Sherrill
In contrast, Sherrill’s campaign has called in Democratic heavyweights including former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar to headline rallies and fundraising events.

Campaign aides say the push aims to energize the Democratic base amid Ciattarelli’s late surge.

Tight race sparks last-minute maneuvers
As Election Day approaches, both campaigns are intensifying outreach across key suburban and working-class regions. Ciattarelli’s bipartisan endorsements are being framed as evidence of broad discontent with the state’s Democratic leadership, while Sherrill’s team continues to emphasize unity and progressive policy goals.

The contest, once seen as safely Democratic, now appears increasingly competitive.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Facebook

Don't Miss