TRENTON, NJ – Former Governor Tom Kean has thrown his support behind Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli, calling him the leader New Jersey needs to steer the state in a new direction.
In a video statement shared Thursday, Kean said he had stayed out of partisan politics for years but felt compelled to step in this election cycle.
“New Jersey needs a change, and it needs a change badly,” Kean said, endorsing Ciattarelli as “compassionate, decent, and hardworking.”
Ciattarelli, who has lived and worked in the state his entire life, said he was honored to receive Kean’s backing, calling the former governor “a true New Jersey leader.”
A symbolic endorsement
Kean, who served as governor from 1982 to 1990, remains one of the most respected figures in New Jersey politics, known for his bipartisan appeal and focus on integrity in government. His endorsement is seen as a significant boost for Ciattarelli as he seeks to position himself as a reform-minded executive ready to “restore competent, effective government.”
Campaign momentum grows
The endorsement comes as Ciattarelli ramps up his campaign efforts, emphasizing fiscal responsibility, education reform, and public safety as key priorities. Kean’s words may help bridge gaps with moderate voters who remember his tenure as a period of stability and growth.
Ciattarelli said he’s ready to take on New Jersey’s toughest challenges “head-on” and deliver the kind of leadership the state once knew under Kean.
The support of a political elder statesman has added new energy to a race already drawing sharp attention across the Garden State.