TRENTON, N.J. — Former Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli on Wednesday issued a public statement condemning Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) for endorsing New York Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, accusing both lawmakers of supporting extreme policies and calling for Sherrill to retract her support.
“Mikie Sherrill is endorsing a socialist, antisemite, and defund the police extremist, which is shocking, even for her,” Ciattarelli wrote in a message shared across social media platforms. “That Mikie supports bringing Mamdani’s ‘playbook’ to New Jersey is even worse.”
Ciattarelli claimed that Sherrill and Mamdani advocate for increased taxation and the expansion of public benefits to individuals with criminal records and those in the country illegally. He did not provide specific legislative references to support the accusation.
Call for apology amid political tensions
Ciattarelli’s post concluded by calling on Sherrill to retract her endorsement and “apologize to NJ law enforcement and Jewish residents immediately.” Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist representing Queens, has previously faced criticism from political opponents for his positions on policing and foreign policy, though no official charges or censures have been brought against him.
As of Thursday, neither Sherrill nor Mamdani has publicly responded to Ciattarelli’s remarks. The endorsement referenced by Ciattarelli was not detailed in his statement, and no official campaign collaboration between Sherrill and Mamdani has been confirmed.
