ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac says he has no plans to soften his support for President Donald Trump as he eyes higher political office — taking aim at fellow Republicans and the Democratic governor during a recent interview.
Kranjac says, unlike his opponents, he doesn’t have to make any apologies to the President.
Key Points
- Mayor Mario Kranjac says he won’t “fix the record” on Trump support like other GOP candidates.
- He criticized New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s policies on immigration, education, and pandemic response.
- Kranjac pledged to support Trump’s agenda in both the primary and general elections.
Appearing on “Chatbox,” Kranjac made clear he is fully aligned with the former president and took jabs at GOP figures Jack Ciattarelli and Bill Spadea, mocking them as “Spadarelli” for adjusting their stances.
“I don’t have to go back and fix the record like Spadia and Ciattarelli do,” Kranjac said. “I always was [for Trump], I always will be. I call them Spadarelli, they’re different sides of the same coin.”
Kranjac, who has been labeled “the Trumpy mayor” by the Star Ledger, said the former president’s agenda offers what voters want — a return to what he called “normal.”
He criticized globalism, illegal immigration, and progressive education policies, claiming, “We’re going to educate our children, not indoctrinate.”
Attacks on Murphy and state policy
The mayor sharply criticized New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, accusing him of failing to follow federal immigration law and mismanaging the COVID-19 response. He alleged hypocrisy, referencing Murphy’s participation in protests during the pandemic:
“He was telling the whole state to lock down, meanwhile they were marching hand in hand at mostly peaceful fiery protests.”
Kranjac also targeted the state’s sanctuary policies, arguing New Jersey must stop harboring undocumented immigrants and align more closely with federal enforcement.
Economic and education critiques
Citing New Jersey’s high cost of living and taxes, Kranjac argued the state has become “unaffordable” and hostile to business. He also claimed the education system has shifted from academics to ideology.
“The education system has been completely broken by them because they were looking to indoctrinate and not educate our children,” he said.
Pressed to elaborate, Kranjac said the difference is clear: “Educating is teaching students math, English, science.”
