Paterson, NJ – He may not have sent out any Spanish mailers, according to an attack piece from his opponent, Mikie Sherrill, but Jack Ciattarelli has scored a huge boost in the New Jersey governor’s race, earning the endorsement of one of the state’s largest Latino faith coalitions.
The Confraternidad Latina De Pastores, also known as the New Jersey Coalition of Latino Pastors and Ministers (COLAPA), announced its support for Ciattarelli today.
The group cited Ciattarelli’s outreach to faith-based organizations and his stated commitment to partnering with churches to serve New Jersey’s most vulnerable residents.
Key Points
- COLAPA, representing 100 Latino churches, endorsed Jack Ciattarelli for governor.
- The coalition praised Ciattarelli’s willingness to work with faith-based groups.
- COLAPA has previously endorsed both Democratic and Republican candidates in statewide races.
Latino pastors’ coalition signals bipartisan approach
COLAPA’s endorsement is notable for its cross-party pattern of support. The coalition, which represents between 15,000 and 20,000 congregants across New Jersey, recently backed Democrat Patricia Campos-Medina for the U.S. Senate and Democrat Josh Gottheimer in the gubernatorial primary.
Ciattarelli, a Republican, thanked the coalition and highlighted the importance of faith leaders in community support networks.
“Faith-based organizations and churches are the foundation of communities across New Jersey,” he said. “As Governor I will work hand-in-hand with them to serve our most vulnerable.”
Sherrill criticizes lack of Spanish-language outreach
Democratic opponent Mikie Sherrill has taken aim at Ciattarelli’s campaign for not sending Spanish-language mailers to Hispanic voters, despite the state’s growing Latino population. Her campaign argued that effective outreach must include language accessibility and cultural engagement.
The endorsement should help Ciattarelli make further inroads with Hispanic voters, particularly among evangelical and churchgoing communities. The faith-based network’s support could also carry weight in cities like Paterson, Passaic, and Elizabeth, where Latino congregations are deeply embedded in local life.
Faith and politics intersect in New Jersey’s race
With the governor’s race tightening, endorsements from influential faith-based organizations have become key moments in the campaign trail. Ciattarelli’s connection with COLAPA may help broaden his appeal beyond his traditional voter base, while also emphasizing issues of community service, family stability, and social outreach that resonate with faith leaders across the political spectrum.