Patch Has Your Recap Of The First Murphy, Ciattarelli Debate

NEW JERSEY — The first debate of the 2021 New Jersey gubernatorial race had a smooth start, but it didn't take long before the candidates took shots at one another.

On Tuesday night, Gov. Phil Murphy faced off with Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.

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

1. Ciattarelli Came To Debate Ready To Pull Ahead

Ciattarelli may have been behind in the latest polls, but he didn't show it during the debate. Immediately going on the attack against Murphy's response to Tropical Storm Ida, New Jersey's COVID-19 related nursing home deaths and the tax rate in the state, Ciattarelli's responses flowed smoothly, gaining some applause and cheers from the audience.

A recent Monmouth poll puts Murphy over Ciattarelli by 13 points at 51 percent to 38 percent. The recent poll is a slight change over the August poll, when voters favored Murphy by 52 percent to 36 percent, overall.

2. Tropical Storm Ida Impact and Response Front and Center

Several questions and rebuttals focused on Tropical Storm Ida, which resulted in the death of 29 New Jerseyeans. The opening question of the debate was directed to Murphy and the decision to declare a state of emergency 13 hours later than Pennsylvania. Murphy defended the decision and process, explaining that meetings about the storm were being held all day, starting at 10 a.m.

Ciattarelli focused on the delay in the state's response compared to neighboring states, claiming the delay in an emergency declaration cost lives.

Protecting New Jersey, specifically the shore, from more storms like Ida, was another focus. Murphy touted the state's progress in pushing toward a carbon-free future and criticized Ciattarellis past comments that the state was moving "too fast, too soon."

Ciattarelli agreed that climate change was the cause of aggressive storms like Ida but stressed that Murphy's policies are not reasonable for the timeframe. He added that the real solution was in a national energy policy.

3. COVID-19 Response Took Several Questions

Both candidates were in the hot seat and offered responses that fell to a silent crowd when it came to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ciattarelli was questioned for comments he made that "children are not vulnerable to the virus." On the comments, Ciattarelli said he "wish I could've said it more perfect," but partially stood by the statement, add that children are not as susceptible. He added that the delta variant is different and the risks for children are still real. Ciattarelli pivoted on many pandemic questions and focused on New Jersey having the most nursing home deaths in the state, blaming an order passed by Murphy allowing nursing homes to take residents without screening for the virus.

Murphy pointed to 21 children in pediatric hospitals and noted there was "no wiggle room" for pandemic safety. Murphy harped on leading the pandemic response with "science and facts." Murphy touted New Jersey having some of the highest vaccination rates in the nation and least occupied ICU beds.

4. Policing and Race Were On Center Stage

Neither of the candidates received an endorsement from the Fraternal Order of Police and the question as to why, brought out the candidates relationships with police and plan for or against reform.

Ciattarelli has billed himself as a defender of police and said the state's police need "a governor who has their back." On questions about how policing in New Jersey is overwhelmingly white and what can be done to change it, Ciattarelli responded that different training and recruitment tactics must be implemented.

Murphy touted two endorsements from the New Jersey Port Authority and the New Jersey State Troopers. He highlighted that transparency and accountability have been central to his administration, specifically with the implementation of body worn cameras.

The debate closed with common ground — Ciattatrelli and Murphy agreed that the diversity of the state was a great asset to be celebrated and applauded the other's efforts as husbands and civil servants.

Murphy and Ciattarelli were the only two candidates on the stage, even though the gubernatorial race has five candidates on the ballot. The three other candidates, Madelyn Hoffman, who is running with the Green Party of New Jersey, Greg Mele, who is running with the New Jersey Libertarian Party, and Joanne Kuniansky of the Socialist Workers Party were not invited to the debate because they did not meet the fundraising threshold.

Also Read: 'Big Money' Rules NJ Governor Debates, Third-Party Candidates Say

Under state law, gubernatorial candidates that receive public financing for their campaigns must participate in two ELEC-sanctioned debates. Their lieutenant governor running mates must take part in a third ELEC-approved debate. Two of the candidates, Mele and Hoffman, released statements about being left out of the debate, alleging that money – or the lack of it – is perpetuating a political duopoly in New Jersey.

Murphy and Ciattarelli will debate again on Oct. 12 in Glassboro. That debate will air on PBS.
In the interim, Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver and Allen will debate in Lawrenceville on Oct. 5. Election Day is Nov. 2.