Christie says ciattarelli, spadea pray each night on their knees for trump’s endorsement

TRENTON, NJ — Dear Lord, please bestow upon me the blessing of President Donald Trump’s endorsement in the June primary election.

That’s pretty much what Trump antagonist and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is claiming both Jack Ciattarelli and Bill Spadea say from their knees each night before bed.

The likelihood of a Trump endorsement of Spadea is slim to none. After all, the President would not even let the now unemployed former FM early morning radio jock post a picture of himself with the candidate on social media.

Spadea’s chief campaign consultant, George Gilmore is praying for a Trump intervention for the second time. In 2020, Gilmore was convicted and sentenced to a year in prison before his prayers were answered in a form of a Trump 12th hour pardon.

Now he’s hoping Trump can rescue him and his low-polling candidate, Spadea.

The chances are also slim to none for Ciattarelli. Trump has not made an endorsement in the campaign and sources within Trump world say the President probably will not chime in on the race.

That race includes three candidates who savaged the President and supported his opponents when the chips were down for Trump and it was politically convenient to trash Trump.

Christie weighed in (no pun intended) on New Jersey’s upcoming Republican gubernatorial primary, saying the contest between former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli and radio host Bill Spadea could be decided by one factor alone: Donald Trump’s endorsement.

Christie told political columnist Bob Snowflack that Republicans “underperformed” in 2021, noting Governor Phil Murphy only narrowly beat Ciattarelli by three points.

“We should have won that race,” Christie said, downplaying the margin and suggesting it was hardly a significant showing.

As for 2025, Christie made no prediction between Ciattarelli and Spadea but was clear that Trump’s backing will likely be decisive.

Key Points

Chris Christie says Trump’s endorsement could decide NJ GOP governor primary
Describes Ciattarelli and Spadea as “praying” for Trump’s support
Christie dismisses moderate Republican Jon Bramnick’s chances in the race

Trump endorsement looms over New Jersey Republican race

Christie characterized the primary battle humorously, telling Snowflack, “Chris Christie assumes that every night before bedtime Jack Ciattarelli and Bill Spadea drop to their knees and pray: ‘Jesus, let it be me.’”

He suggested both men recognize the importance of Trump’s support, reportedly spending time at Trump’s golf courses in efforts to court the former president.

Christie further asserted that the growing number of New Jersey Republican voters would “follow Trump’s lead,” putting enormous weight on whom Trump decides to back.

Moderate candidate Bramnick faces an uphill battle

Christie appeared to dismiss the chances of Jon Bramnick, a more moderate Republican and longtime state legislator, in the GOP primary. He did not elaborate, but his remarks implied that the state party’s base remains firmly aligned with Trump, leaving little room for centrists in the nomination contest.

NJ Republicans brace for a primary shaped by national politics

As New Jersey’s Republican field takes shape, the candidates’ strategies and endorsements will be critical, particularly in a party still heavily influenced by national figures. With Trump’s potential involvement, the race could be determined well before voters head to the polls, but don’t hold your breath for a Trump forgiveness endorsement.

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