5 Takeaways From First GOP Debate For NJ Governor

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Four front-runners in the race to become the Republican candidate for New Jersey governor squared off on the debate stage Tuesday, throwing punches over ties to President Donald Trump and stances on various issues.

State Sen. Jon Bramnick, former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, one-time state Sen. Ed Durr and former radio host Bill Spadea sparred for nearly two hours at Rider University in Lawrenceville — with the contentious atmosphere reminding Spadea of an “old Italian dinner," he said at one point.

The primary on June 10 will determine which Republican, Democratic, and third-party candidates will appear on the ballot in November to replace Gov. Phil Murphy, who is term-limited. The six Democratic candidates also gathered to debate issues on Sunday.

Here are five takeaways from the GOP debate:

No love lost between candidates

The candidates all frequently talked over each other and faced interruption from the moderators as they continually launched attacks and argued.

In one salvo, Ciattarelli started in on Spadea, saying Republicans who know the former radio host best chose to endorse Ciattarelli instead.

Spadea responded by offering sarcastic congratulations: “Jack’s talking about two-time losers,” Bramnick said, alluding to Ciattarelli’s two previous unsuccessful runs for governor.

“This is no longer productive," one of the moderators, Laura Jones, said later in the evening, as the two fought over campaign contributions.

Bramnick and Durr also argued about the recently-enacted Freedom to Read Act, which Bramnick supported — and Durr said promotes "pornography."

The bill establishes requirements for library materials in school districts and public libraries, and aims to safeguard librarians from harassment "brought on by extreme book ban efforts."

President Trump looms large

Spadea, Durr and Ciattarelli have each embraced the president. Bramnick has kept his distance, arguing that to win New Jersey, a candidate has to appeal not just to Republican primary voters but to Democrats and independents as well.

Spadea said Trump "knows I've had his back since he came down the escalator in 2015," a reference to the launch of his presidential campaign that year.

Bramnick drew some boos from the crowd when he criticized the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

“Do you think the people of New Jersey want the debate to be who loves Trump the most or who loves New Jersey the most?” he said at one point.

Insiders and outsiders

During the debate, Ciattarelli and Bramnick both pointed out their track records in elected office, while Durr and Spadea painted themselves as more anti-establishment.

Ciattarelli served in local and county government as well as the state Assembly, while Bramnick has been a member of the state legislature for over 20 years.

Durr ran for state Senate as a pro-Trump candidate in 2021, defeating Democratic Senate president Steve Sweeney. He lost re-election in 2023. Spadea has run for both Congress and the state Legislature, and lost.

Bramnick, who is also an attorney and a stand-up comedian, said he is a "Republican with heart" who can win districts traditionally dominated by Democrats and independents.

Ciattarelli, who came close to defeating Gov. Murphy in 2021, said the party needs a "serious candidate" who is able to unify the party and "get up and down the state" to raise money.

Durr, a truck driver, said he plans to "shock the establishment" again in this election, and painted himself as a "regular guy."

Spadea said he would only serve one term as governor if elected, and would reverse the polices of “woke Democrats who wreck this state and weak Republicans who let it happen.”

Candidates divided on abortion, transgender rights

Asked whether they would support an amendment enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution — New Jersey law currently establishes that it is legal — Bramnick said yes while Durr and Spadea said no. Ciattarelli said he supports abortion rights but did specify his position on an amendment.

Durr and Spadea also said they would prohibit gender-affirming care for transgender youth, and would require schools to notify parents if their child came out at school.

"Parental rights has to be the top priority of the next governor," Spadea said.

Ciattarelli said he is “here to protect any and all groups, particularly marginalized groups, here in New Jersey, plain and simple.”

Bramnick also said he opposes allowing transgender athletes to play sports on teams that differ from their birth gender.

"But let's make sure that the Republican Party shows respect for transgender people and respect for non-heterosexual people, because we've got to show that we have a heart," he said.

Common ground on some issues

All four candidates said they oppose or would undo executive orders under Murphy, barring local police from working with immigration officials.

“Executive order No. 1, no town in this state will be a sanctuary city and we will not be a sanctuary state," Ciattarelli said.

Durr also zeroed in on Murphy for comments he made earlier this week during an interview, suggesting he was harboring an undocumented immigrant above his garage.

"I’m calling on any sheriff who has the nerve to go to Murphy’s house right now and find out if there’s an illegal alien there," he said.

And, all agreed that New Jersey needs to lower its taxes.

You can watch the full debate here via On New Jersey.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.