President Donald Trump endorsed Republican Jack Ciattarelli in New Jersey’s gubernatorial race on Monday, bolstering the former state assemblyman’s bid in a competitive GOP primary.
Ciattarelli, who lost to Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy by three percentage points in 2021, is running again for the nomination against con artist Bill Spadea and state Sen. Jon Bramnick.
The primary will be held on June 10.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Ciattarelli as a “terrific America First Candidate” and said he would work closely with a potential Trump administration. “Jack, who after getting to know and understand MAGA, has gone ALL IN, and is now 100% (PLUS!),” Trump wrote.
The endorsement could solidify Ciattarelli’s standing as the Republican frontrunner, though it may also become a liability in the general election in a state where Democrats hold a voter registration advantage of more than 800,000.
The Republican primary has largely centered on which candidate is most aligned with Trump.
Spadea, a vocal conservative, has positioned himself as the race’s true Trump loyalist, while Ciattarelli—who once called Trump a “charlatan” in 2015—has since embraced the former president’s policies.
Spadea’s campaign has repeatedly highlighted Ciattarelli’s past criticism of Trump, while Ciattarelli has pointed to Spadea’s own 2021 remarks expressing reluctance about another Trump presidential run. Both candidates met with Trump at his Bedminster golf club in March in an effort to secure his support.
Trump’s backing may help Ciattarelli consolidate support among the party’s base. However, Spadea has not yet committed to endorsing Ciattarelli if he wins the primary, telling reporters last week that Ciattarelli had “rejected President Trump’s help in 2021.”
Democrats quickly seized on Trump’s endorsement, framing Ciattarelli as a Trump loyalist who would push a far-right agenda.
“Donald Trump endorsing Jack Ciattarelli sends a clear signal to people in New Jersey that he’ll always put loyalty to Trump first,” said New Jersey Democratic State Committee spokesperson Ryan Radulovacki.
Republicans, however, see an opportunity to reclaim the governor’s office after Trump improved his performance in New Jersey in the 2024 election, losing by only six points compared to a 16-point deficit in 2020.
Ciattarelli, who has led in fundraising, said he was “truly humbled and honored” by Trump’s endorsement and pledged to unite the party for the November election.
The Democratic primary remains crowded, with six candidates vying for the nomination, including Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Rep. Mikie Sherrill.
With the primary just weeks away, Trump’s endorsement could prove decisive in shaping the Republican field—and the broader battle for control of one of the nation’s few competitive gubernatorial races this year.