TRENTON, N.J. — Former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli has solidified his lead in the race for the 2025 Republican gubernatorial nomination, opening a 31-point advantage over radio host Bill Spadea as the latter’s campaign faces growing turmoil.
According to a new internal poll by National Research, Ciattarelli is backed by 54% of likely GOP primary voters, compared to 23% for Spadea. State Sen. Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield) garnered 10%, while former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac trails with 2%.
The poll, conducted by a firm led by Trump pollster Adam Geller, shows Ciattarelli with a 32-point lead among voters who approve of former President Donald Trump, 56%-23%. Among Republicans who have voted in the last three primaries, Ciattarelli holds a 53%-24% advantage.
Spadea’s popularity is dwindling further as campaign minions take to social media to viciously attack fellow Republicans who do not endorse him for the primary election. Last week, Spadea’s opponents, Jack Ciattarelli and Bill Bramick each committed to backing whoever wins the GOP primary election in June.
Spadea, in typical fashion refused to back anyone but himself, a reminder of how he worked to sabotage Ciattarelli’s 2021 campaign against Governor Phil Murphy. Spadea said, Ciattarelli would be worse than Phil Murphy as governor.
Spadea’s campaign has been mired in controversy in recent weeks. Financial records show he was paid $225,000 through his Common Sense PAC while also making $5,000 monthly payments to a political consultant who is a convicted tax offender and has publicly admitted he has a mental illness.
Policy positions he has taken — including advocating amnesty for undocumented immigrants with criminal records, proposing cuts to public worker pensions, and supporting increased work hours for air traffic controllers — have drawn sharp criticism from within the party.
Spadea hosted a well publicized boardwalk MAGA rally this weekend in Seaside Park. Only about 50 people showed up, compared to a 2017 rally where former gubernatorial candidate Joseph Rudy Rullo headlined, drawing thousands of Trump supporters to a standing room only boardwalk.
Spadea has also faced backlash for past remarks calling Trump a “failed president” who should not run again, a stance that may be contributing to his slipping support among the GOP base.
Jack Ciattarelli now leads with a widening margin in every key Republican voter segment heading into the 2025 primary.