NJ governor election: What are Jack Ciattarelli's policies?
Who won the debate between Ciattarelli, Sherrill?
Democratic nominee Mikie Sherrill and Republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli went head-to-head on Wednesday night in their final debate before New Jerseyans decide which of them will serve as the state's next governor. Political analyst Steve Adubato joined Good Day New York with reaction.
Jack Ciattarelli is hoping the third time will be the charm as he runs for governor of New Jersey again, this time as the GOP’s nominee against Democrat Rep. Mikie Sherill.
Here’s what you need to know about the businessman and three-time gubernatorial candidate.
2025 NJ governor election
What we know:
The New Jersey governor’s race is one of the first major elections since President Donald Trump took office for his second term, and is seen as an early test of Republican momentum across the country.
Jack Ciattarelli, Republican candidate for governor of New Jersey, left, departs after casting his ballot during early voting in Hillsborough, New Jersey, U.S., on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021. (Stephanie Keith/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Ciattarelli first ran for governor in 2017, coming second in the Republican primary to Kim Guadagno. He ran again in 2021, this time winning the party’s nomination, but ultimately losing to Gov. Phil Murphy by just over three points.
This time around, the race may be closer. While a recent poll from Emerson College and The Hill has Ciattarelli and Sherill in a dead heat, other polls, like Fox News and Quinnipiac University, have Sherill ahead by several points.
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.
What are Jack Ciattarelli's policies?
JUMP TO: TAXES/AFFORDABILITY | VOTER ID | IMMIGRATION | ABORTION
Taxes and affordability
Big picture view:
Ciattarelli has repeatedly said he wants to make the state more affordable. Some of the ways he plans to do that, according to his online platform, include capping property taxes to a percent of their value, reducing state spending, lowering the Corporation Business Tax, and making student loan interest tax-deductible, among other things. Ciattarelli says he wants to reduce state spending by 30%, but doesn't specify how.
He's also rejected claims from opponents saying that he would raise taxes on essentials. "It’s not only misleading, it’s a blatant lie," Ciattarelli said. "I’ve got a plan that reduces taxes across the board for New Jerseyans in a very fiscally responsible way."
The former state lawmaker also says he wants to eliminate waste in the state government, and plans to do that by creating the state's own Department of Government Efficiency to audit unelected positions.
Voter ID
Ciattarelli wants to create voter ID laws, and revamp the current vote-by-mail and ballot counting systems in New Jersey, which he says is meant to promote "fair and honest elections."
Under his platform, he would require voters to show photo ID at the polls and would require anyone who wants to mail in their ballot to prove their identity and that they're U.S. citizens.
Ciattarelli also wants to expand voter registration. Just like how you can register to vote when you get your driver's license, Ciattarelli wants you to be able to do the same if you apply for a hunting or fishing license or gun permit.
Immigration
Ciattarelli says he plans to repeal the Immigrant Trust Directive. The directive, commonly referred to as a "sanctuary city" policy, limits how much information local law enforcement can share with immigration officials. Any communities who refuse to share information might have state funding withheld.
Abortion
On his website, Ciattarelli says "he won’t pretend to know what is inside a woman’s heart or head. He believes that with certain reasonable exceptions/restrictions agreed upon by the vast majority of Americans, this decision should be between a woman, her partner, her faith, and her healthcare professionals."
Ciattarelli plans to:
- Prohibit elective abortions after 20 weeks
- Require minors to get their parents' permission to get an abortion
- Oppose taxpayer-funded abortion
- Oppose the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act
- Reduce teenage and unwanted pregnancies through education
One-On-One with Republican Nominee for NJ Governor Jack Ciattarelli
A one-on-one discussion with Republican Nominee for NJ Governor Jack Ciattarelli on the most important issues facing New Jersey voters. Plus, the panel including Kate Gibbs, Executive Director of the Republican State Committee, Democratic Strategist Brendan Gill, Dan Cassino of the Fairleigh Dickinson University Poll, and NorthJersey.com Statehouse Reporter Katie Sobko discuss the latest in the Governor?s race.
Who is Jack Ciattarelli's running mate?
Dig deeper:
Jim Gannon is accompanying Ciattarelli on the ticket as the GOP’s nominee for Lieutenant Governor.
Gannon grew up in Boonton, and has decades of law enforcement experience, which he says was inspired by his father, who was a detective with the New York Police Department. Gannon was a first responder on 9/11, served as part of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, and is currently serving his third term as the Sheriff of Morris County.
Who has endorsed Jack Ciattarelli?
On his campaign website, Ciattarelli has listed several key endorsements, including most notably President Donald Trump. Trump endorsed Ciattarelli in May in a post on Truth Social. In his post, Trump called the GOP nominee "a terrific America First Candidate."
Trump called Ciatterelli "ALL IN," and "100% (PLUS!)" for his Make America Great Again movement.
"Jack Ciattarelli is a WINNER, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement," Trump wrote. "HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN."
Ciattarelli also has the backing of several law enforcement organizations, including the New Jersey State Fraternal Order of Police, the Association of Former New Jersey State Troopers, the New Jersey State Retired Police and Fireman’s Association and more.
Former NJ Gov. Thomas Kean has also given Ciattarelli his endorsement.
When is Election Day in NJ? Timeline, key dates
- The voter registration deadline for the general election has passed.
- Saturday, Oct. 25 through Sunday, Nov. 2: The early voting period. Hours will be Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 4: Election Day. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
You can check your registration status online here.
To find your local poll site, click here.
How to track election results
FOX 5 NY is your home on Election Night. Bookmark our Election Results page to track in real-time, and tune into our Election Night coverage live right here on fox5ny.com and FOX LOCAL New York as the night unfolds. Coverage begins at 4 p.m.
The Source: Information in this story is from Jack Ciattarelli's campaign website, the New Jersey Division of Elections, the NJ state legislature, Truth Social, polling from Emerson College/The Hill, Quinnipiac University and Fox News, and previous FOX 5 NY reports.