Ciattarelli To Kick Off New Bid For Governor At Freehold Event

FREEHOLD, NJ — Former Republican state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli is expected to kick off his campaign for governor at an event Tuesday night in Freehold.

The event begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, at the American Hotel, 18 E. Main Street, Freehold, according to the campaign.

Monmouth County is primarily a Republican stronghold, although Freehold Borough itself has a Democratic Council and is represented by Democratic Congressman Andy Kim, now a candidate for U.S. Senate.

As the Republican nominee, Ciattarelli lost his previous bid for governor in a tight race against Gov. Phil Murphy in 2021. Murphy was running for his second term as governor.

"My plan is to run for governor in four years," Ciattarelli said at the time.

The Hillsborough native got his start in politics in Somerset County on the Raritan Borough Council before serving in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2011 to 2018, representing the 16th legislative district.

So far, among Republicans, state Sen. Jon Bramnick, District 21, in January declared his run for the governorship next year. Bambrick's district includes parts of Middlesex, Morris, Somerset and Union counties.

Among Democrats, Ras Baraka, mayor of Newark; Steven Fulop, mayor of Jersey City; and Stephen Sweeney, former president of the New Jersey Senate (2010–2022) from the 3rd district (2002–2022) have declared as candidates, according to Ballotpedia.

In New Jersey, there is a limit of two terms for governor.