4 Things To Note From Second Murphy, Ciattarelli Debate

NEW JERSEY — The second debate of the New Jersey Governor's race wasted no time gaining traction, due in part to the enthusiasm and vocal participation from the audience.

Gov. Phil Murphy and Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli faced off for the second time, in front of a lively audience at Rowan University Tuesday night. Upon arrival on the stage, each candidate heard their fair share of cheers and boos from the audience, although, as noted by several moderators, Ciattarelli's supporters seemed to be more vocal.

Here are four key takeaways from New Jersey's second gubernatorial race debate in 2021:

1. Handling COVID-19 Remains Strong Debate Opener

One of the first questions for the candidates was focused on masking and the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey, similar to the first debate. The question gave Ciattarelli an opportunity to expand on his stance that masking and vaccination should be optional, although he said he supports and encourages vaccination.

"I believe my role as governor would be to offer as much information as possible," Ciattarelli said, "there's a lot of disagreement in the community."

The masking question led to a brief back-and-forth between the candidates as Murphy stressed that the current "playbook" his administration was going by was working, and attacked Ciattarelli's method as an example of moving backwards as opposed to forward.

Murphy was also asked why the review of the long-term-care facility deaths in the state hadn't been finished and released, but he did not give a direct answer.

2. State Funding Was Woven Into Several Questions

The theme of state funding made its way into several questions and answers throughout the night. Ciattarelli was asked which specific programs he would cut to balance the state budget. He did not directly answer the question, but instead noted that the state budget was bloated with special interest.

Ciattarelli did note at one point in the debate, that he wanted to revamp the school funding formula in order to lower property taxes. He used his example of "million dollar homes in Jersey City and Hoboken" paying less in property taxes than $400,000 homes in areas like Toms River.

"We need a flatter, more equitable distribution of aid," Ciattarelli said. Murphy combatted his school funding comments by stressing that Black and brown communities would be adversely and disproportionately affected.

Murphy was put on the hot seat for the state's borrowing habits, both for NJ Transit and through the state emergency fund. He claimed in the next year as governor, he would be able to keep his pledge of not raising taxes through a number of ways including setting up reliable programs to bring consistent revenue in and using the remainder of the American Rescue Plan money from the federal government.

Both Candidates' Consistency Was Questioned

Moderators threw out questions about each candidates' consistency. Murphy was questioned for billing himself as a progressive but not pushing forward the process for lawsuits against the state government citing segregation in New Jersey schools. Murphy dodged the question, claiming the process was under the attorney general, but stood by his branding as a progressive.

Ciattarelli was asked about his switched support for former President Donald Trump, once calling him a "charlatan" and then supporting him as president. Ciattarelli brushed off the question with a joke that his wife has "called him worse things than a charlatan" and standing by his belief that "it's un-American not to support the president." When asked whether he would accept a campaign endorsement from Trump, he didn't give a direct 'no' but said, "I do my own campaigning."

The Mount Laurel Doctrine and Affordable Housing Were On The Tip Of Everyone's Tongue

The debate about affordable housing couldn't go more than a few words before "Mount Laurel" made its way into the sentence. According to the Fair Share Housing Center, "The Mount Laurel Doctrine declared that municipal land use regulations that prevent affordable housing opportunities for the poor are unconstitutional and ordered all New Jersey municipalities to plan, zone for, and take affirmative actions to provide realistic opportunities for their “fair share” of the region’s need for affordable housing for low and moderate-income people."

When Murphy was asked why it was so difficult for New Jerseyans to find affordable housing, he cited the pandemic and a recent uptick in new residents to the state. He also added, "Mount Laurel was a game changer."

Ciattarelli maintained that affordable housing was necessary in many communities, but that "the numbers don't add up." While he said that people should be able to find affordable housing and live anywhere in the state, he added that "We need people living in our cities again."

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

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