Jack Ciattarelli To Hold Town Hall Tuesday Night In Galloway

GALLOWAY, NJ — Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli will hold a town hall meeting Tuesday night in Galloway.

Ciattarelli will field questions from voters in Atlantic County and the surrounding area at JD's Pub from 8 to 9 p.m., according to a media advisory from his office.

The town hall comes one week after the final debate between Ciattarelli and Gov. Phil Murphy took place at Rowan University.

Read more: 4 Takeaways From The 2nd Gubernatorial Debate

Moderators questioned Murphy and Ciattarelli about the ongoing pandemic, balancing the state budget and both candidates' consistency.

Ciattarelli reiterated promises to lower taxes, revamp the school funding formula and maintain affordable housing across the state.

As for face masks and COVID-19 vaccinations, Ciattarelli said he believes masking and vaccination should be optional, although he said he encourages people to get vaccinated.

The 60-minute debate ended with roaring shouts from the audience, cutting off both candidates at some point in their closing remarks.

In the upcoming election, Ciattarelli will face Murphy, as well as Madelyn Hoffman of the Green Party of New Jersey, Gregg Mele of the New Jersey Libertarian Party and Joanne Kuniansky of the Socialist Workers Party.

Murphy holds a nine to 13-point lead over Ciattarelli according to a pair of recent polls from Stockton University and Monmouth University.

• See related article: Murphy Tops Ciattarelli In Latest Stockton Poll
• See related article: Murphy Has Big Lead; Ciattarelli Says Race Is Close

However, the New Jersey Republican Party has claimed that other polls show Ciattarelli is in a "statistical tie" with Murphy. Two of the polls in particular show that Murphy's lead is down to three points or less, the NJGOP said in September.

Election Day is Nov. 2.

More Election Coverage:

• 4 Takeaways From The First Murphy, Ciattarelli Debate
• Taxes, COVID, Ida Take Center Stage At Debate
• 'Big Money' Rules NJ Governor Debates, Third-Party Candidates Say

With reporting by Samantha Mercado and Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff.