Englewood Cliffs, NJ – As the New Jersey Republican primary for governor heats up, a new name is gaining traction among GOP voters: Mario Kranjac.
The former mayor of Englewood Cliffs has steadily built momentum in a crowded field, positioning himself as the state’s unapologetic MAGA and America First candidate.
With the primary set for June 10, Kranjac’s rise comes at a pivotal moment, fueled by a combination of recent developments and his steadfast loyalty to former President Donald Trump.
Kranjac’s ascent follows the unexpected withdrawal of Ed Durr, a truck driver turned former state senator who stunned the political world in 2021 by defeating Democratic Senate President Steve Sweeney. Known as “Ed the Trucker,” Durr had been a leading conservative voice in the race but dropped out in late March, endorsing rival Bill Spadea.
Durr’s exit left a void among the party’s right-wing base, which Kranjac has swiftly moved to fill.
Adding to his momentum, Kranjac recently overcame significant legal challenges from Spadea, a former radio host and fellow GOP contender. Spadea launched two lawsuits aimed at removing Kranjac from the ballot, alleging irregularities in his petition signatures.
Prior to Spadea’s failed lawsuit to remove Kranjac from the ballot, Kranjac has surged in popularity among conservative voters in New Jersey disappointed in the former radio host’s lawfare.
Many have been turned off to Spadea after he engaged in the same political malarkey the Democrats pulled against Donald Trump in 2024.
However, both efforts were rebuffed this week, with Secretary of State Tahesha Way affirming Kranjac’s eligibility after an administrative law judge upheld the validity of over 2,600 of his signatures.
Kranjac seized the opportunity to cast Spadea’s actions as an attack on Republican voters, accusing him of using “left-wing lawfare tactics” reminiscent of Democratic efforts against Trump. “Spadea tried to disenfranchise thousands of grassroots supporters,” Kranjac said in a statement. “I’m in this race to win, not to bow to the establishment.”
What sets Kranjac apart in a field that includes Spadea, former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, and State Senator Jon Bramnick is his unwavering allegiance to Trump and the MAGA agenda.
While his rivals have each faced scrutiny for past criticisms of the former president, Kranjac has branded himself a “forever Trumper.”
Spadea, once a vocal Trump supporter, has been criticized for wavering during Trump’s post-2020 election struggles, with opponents unearthing radio clips where he questioned the president’s approach. Ciattarelli famously called Trump a “charlatan” in 2015 and distanced himself during the 2021 gubernatorial race, only recently embracing him. Bramnick, meanwhile, has openly opposed Trump for years, positioning himself as a moderate alternative—a stance that has alienated much of the GOP base.
Kranjac, by contrast, has never faltered in his support.
A successful attorney and venture capitalist before entering politics, he first made waves in 2016 by winning the mayoralty of Englewood Cliffs as a political outsider, ending 42 years of Democratic control. During his eight-year tenure, he championed conservative priorities—lowering taxes, improving infrastructure, and resisting state mandates he deemed “Marxist,” such as a 2021 diversity education law.
His campaign now promises to slash New Jersey’s highest-in-the-nation property taxes by 2% annually, secure elections with voter ID laws, and impose term limits—issues that resonate deeply with Trump-aligned voters.
Political observers say Kranjac’s momentum reflects a broader shift within the NJ GOP, where Trump’s influence remains a litmus test.
A recent internal poll showed Ciattarelli leading with 42%, Spadea at 13%, Bramnick at 4%, and Kranjac at 2%, but that was before Durr’s exit and the failed lawsuits.
With Trump’s approval rating among New Jersey Republicans at a staggering 90%, according to the same poll, Kranjac’s loyalty could prove decisive.
Still, challenges remain. Kranjac lacks the name recognition and fundraising prowess of Ciattarelli, who nearly unseated Governor Phil Murphy in 2021, or Spadea, who boasts a loyal following from his NJ 101.5 days. Bramnick, though a long shot, has secured $2.8 million in matching funds and a debate slot.
Kranjac, who hasn’t qualified for matching funds, may struggle to compete in a state where campaigns are notoriously expensive.
Critics also point to his controversial mayoral tenure, marked by costly affordable housing lawsuits, as a potential liability.
Yet, for now, Kranjac is riding a wave of grassroots enthusiasm. His top ballot placement in Monmouth County, a GOP stronghold, and an endorsement from former House Speaker Newt Gingrich signal growing support. As the primary nears, all eyes are on whether this self-described “Trumpy mayor” can turn his MAGA momentum into a winning coalition in a state hungry for change.
