Jack Ciattarelli: What to know about the GOP candidate for New Jersey governor

Jack Ciattarelli pushes tax relief, energy reform in tight race with Mikie Sherrill

Republican Jack Ciattarelli joined for an interview just as a new poll shows him trailing Democrat Rep. Mikie Sherrill by only 8%, down from a 20-point gap in June. Ciattarelli dismissed university polling, saying they?ve been wrong before.

NEW JERSEY - Jack Ciattarelli, 63, the Trump-endorsed former state assemblymember, is making his third attempt to capture the governorship of New Jersey, this time hoping to flip the state red in November. 

Why you should care:

The race, one of the first major elections since Donald Trump’s return to the White House, is seen as an early test of Republican momentum nationwide.

Ciattarelli, a businessman and moderate establishment figure in New Jersey politics, first ran for governor in 2017, placing second in the Republican primary. 

Jack Ciattarelli, Republican candidate for governor of New Jersey, and spouse Melinda Castro, left, depart after casting ballots during early voting in Hillsborough, New Jersey, U.S., on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy's lead n

Expand

In 2021, he won the GOP nomination and came within three points of unseating Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, earning 48% of the vote to Murphy’s 51%. His latest campaign, buoyed by Trump’s endorsement, comes despite earlier accusations from party hardliners that he was a "never-Trumper."

"This is the same polling that had me down double digits with two weeks to go last time," Ciattarelli told FOX 5 NY, dismissing recent university surveys showing him trailing Rep. Mikie Sherrill. "We’ve got it as a dead heat, as does my opponent."

Taxes and property relief

Attendees cheer as election results are displayed during an election night event for Jack Ciattarelli, Republican candidate for governor of New Jersey, in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey, U.S., on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021. New Jersey voters lean Democr

Expand

Taxes remain at the center of Ciattarelli’s campaign. He has proposed capping property taxes at 1% of a home’s assessed value for first-time buyers, making all retirement income tax-free, and freezing property taxes for seniors over 70. He also pledges a 30% cut in state spending to fund broad-based tax relief.

"I’ll responsibly reduce the size and cost of our state government to afford a tax cut for our businesses and our individuals," Ciattarelli said. "For seniors in particular, all retirement will be tax free, and we’ll freeze property taxes once people hit age 70."

He rejected claims from opponents that he would raise taxes on essentials. "It’s not only misleading, it’s a blatant lie," he said. "I’ve got a plan that reduces taxes across the board for New Jerseyans in a very fiscally responsible way."

Energy and environment

Jack Ciattarelli, Republican candidate for governor of New Jersey, greets attendees after speaking during an election night event in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey, U.S., on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021. Ciattarelli is locked in a tight race with New Je

Expand

With energy costs spiking, Ciattarelli has focused on affordability while blasting state leaders for plant closures and reliance on offshore wind. "We used to be an electricity exporter," he said. "Today we have to import it because the current governor, with the support of my opponent, shut down six different electricity generation plants… He bet it all on wind. And here we are today, paying through the nose. It’s painful."

Ciattarelli has pledged to withdraw New Jersey from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, calling it a "carbon tax" costing the state $1 billion a year. "By executive order, I can pull us out of RGGI and save everybody all that money," he said.

Immigration and Trump ties

An attendee holds a "Jack can fix it!" sign during an election night event for Jack Ciattarelli, Republican candidate for governor of New Jersey, in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey, U.S., on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021. New Jersey voters lean Democratic,

Expand

Ciattarelli has promised to end the state’s Immigrant Trust Directive, which limits cooperation between local police and federal immigration officials, on his first day in office. He also says he would instruct the attorney general to drop lawsuits filed against the Trump administration.

Though he acknowledges Trump’s endorsement, Ciattarelli emphasizes his independence. "At the end of the day, I’m going to advocate for New Jerseyans," he said. He credited Trump with pausing offshore wind development and expanding the SALT deduction, which he called "a big deal in my district."

What they're saying:

Advocacy groups and Democrats have attacked Ciattarelli’s record and rhetoric, calling his campaign "extremist" and portraying him as a "mini-Trump contender." 

Ciattarelli has brushed off those criticisms, portraying himself as a common-sense Republican with a plan to lower costs and restore balance in Trenton.