Trenton, NJ – Jack Ciattarelli just got a big endorsement. It’s no secret that his opponent Mikie Sherrill has supported defunding thepolice, bail reform, the Immigrant Trust Directive, and restrictions on police in the Garden State, but this announcement comes as big news from an organization that often does not endorse candidates.
Republican gubernatorial hopeful Jack Ciattarelli scored a major win Tuesday with the endorsement of the New Jersey State Fraternal Order of Police, marking a shift in law enforcement support in the Garden State.
Ciattarelli, a former State Assembly member and Trump-backed candidate, called the endorsement an honor, saying he has the “faith, trust and confidence” of the state’s top police union.
“As Governor, I will do everything in my power to support law enforcement – and their families,” Ciattarelli posted on X. “Together we can and will make communities all across New Jersey safe.”
He argued that low recruitment, weak retention and slumping morale have made the job tougher than ever, vowing to restore “respect for authority, law and order, and… the men and women in blue.”
The NJ FOP does not issue endorsements in every race. Its last nod came in 2016, when the group backed Democrat Phil Murphy, who went on to win the governor’s office the following year.
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“Law enforcement needs the support of our political leadership,” Ciattarelli added. “As Governor, they will have it from me, the Attorney General, and my entire administration.”
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Key Points
- NJ State Fraternal Order of Police endorsed Republican Jack Ciattarelli for governor.
- Ciattarelli pledged to boost police recruitment, morale and respect for law enforcement.
- The union last endorsed a gubernatorial candidate in 2016, backing Democrat Phil Murphy.
Ciattarelli is betting that blue-uniform backing will help him flip the governor’s mansion red.