Long Branch Republican Party Endorses Jack Ciattarelli For NJ Governor

LONG BRANCH, NJ — The Long Branch Republican Party is formally endorsing Jack Ciattarelli in the New Jersey governor's race, which will be this November.

Two-term Gov. Phil Murphy cannot seek a third term. The primary election will be June 10 and the general election Nov. 4.

Here's who's running for governor on the Republican side:

• Former NJ state assemblyman Ciattarelli, from Somerville. He ran twice before for New Jersey governor without success, but came quite close in the 2021 governor's race, losing to Murphy by a margin of three percentage points.
• Republican state Sen. Jon Bramnick said last year he would drop out of the race if Trump won re-election (he is a never-Trump Republican), but is still running.
• NJ101.5 radio host Bill Spadea (he is stepping down from his popular radio show at the end of the month so as not to conflict with his run for governor).
• Former state Sen. Ed Durr, "Ed the Trucker" from South Jersey, among a host of lesser-known names.

On the Democratic side, here's who's running for governor:

• Newark Mayor Ras Baraka
• Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop
• NJ 5 Congressman Josh Gottheimer
• NJ 11 Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill
• Montclair mayor and president of the NJ statewide teachers' union Sean Spiller
• Former NJ Senate President Steve Sweeney (he no longer holds political office)

Here is the statement from the Long Branch GOP on why they support Ciattarelli:

“Jack is the strongest candidate for Long Branch, the strongest candidate for New Jersey and the strongest candidate to build on the great coalition of working-class voters that we saw President Trump bring together in November," said Long Branch municipal GOP chairman Fred Esposito. "He has our committee’s full endorsement. Our committee members made it clear that they believe Jack is the only candidate in the field who has the ability to recognize and address the core issues that plague our state. We need a true leader in New Jersey who can bring together people of all backgrounds, and Ciattarelli is that leader. We look forward to helping Jack win and getting New Jersey back on the right track over the next four years."

Their endorsement was announced at the Long Branch GOP’s yearly honorary service dinner, where officials from Monmouth County and across New Jersey gathered to honor local leaders.