Trump casts shadow over New Jersey political scene as GOP aims to capitalize on potential 2024 advancements
The governor's race in New Jersey could be President Trump's first crack at shaping a significant GOP primary since his return to the White House, and allegiance to Trump has become a significant issue in the race.
The top contenders, Jack Ciattarelli and Bill Spadea, met with Trump at his Bedminster, New Jersey golf club in late March, and both are keen on his endorsement. However, it's unclear if Trump will pick a favorite before the June 10 primary.
Jeanette Hoffman, a New Jersey GOP strategist not involved in the race, commented, "It's will he or won't he? And as everyone knows, President Trump can be unpredictable at times."
She added, "By and large, the issue in the primary is who's the most Trump-loyal candidate in the race." This statement comes as Trump saw gains in 2024 in New Jersey, improving his margin by 10 percentage points compared to 2020, and closing the gap to 6 points, marking the closest presidential result in over three decades.
Ciattarelli and Spadea claimed they haven't spoken to Trump since their meeting in late March, but they have taken their cases to the airwaves. Spadea launched his first TV ad this week, utilizing audio of Trump's radio show appearance from last May, where Trump expressed support for Spadea and criticized Ciattarelli. The ad also features AI-generated audio of Ciattarelli's 2015 criticisms of Trump.
Ciattarelli's campaign responded with its own attack ad in March, featuring footage of Spadea criticizing Trump on his radio show in 2021. Both candidates dismissed the attacks, with Ciattarelli stating that Spadea's campaign is a "one big lie" and accusing him of trying to run from his own, more recent, criticisms of Trump.
Meanwhile, former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac, endorsed by Newt Gingrich, has positioned himself as a "forever Trumper." Kranjac's campaign manager said they've been in contact with people in Trump's orbit, but not directly with Trump. State Sen. Jon Bramnick, who has criticized Trump, told NBC News he has not reached out to the White House, stating he'd welcome an endorsement but acknowledges it's unlikely.
Trump's former campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, who is working with the pro-Ciattarelli super PAC Kitchen Table Conservatives, told reporters last month that she believes the "odds are" that Trump will endorse in the race and may back Ciattarelli. The race is heating up as Ciattarelli has led the field in public polling and outpaced his opponents on the airwaves, spending $3.2 million on ads so far.
Kranjac and Bramnick are also appealing to the MAGA base, emphasizing their commitment to Trump's agenda. Trump's endorsement could still significantly impact the primary if he decides to weigh in, underscoring the extent to which he has reshaped the GOP.
In the state's last gubernatorial race in 2021, a pro-Trump candidate abruptly ended his campaign after the January 6th Capitol riot, clearing Ciattarelli's path to the nomination. While Ciattarelli did not campaign with Trump then, during a February debate in 2025, Ciattarelli joined the other candidates in saying they would welcome Trump to campaign in New Jersey.
Trump's endorsement record in New Jersey is mixed, as he endorsed Christine Serrano Glassner one month before the GOP Senate primary last year, who went on to lose the primary. It's uncertain whether Trump will choose Ciattarelli or another candidate, but the race is closely watched as his support could decide the primary.
- The governor's race in New Jersey is likely to be shaped by President Trump's endorsement, as both Jack Ciattarelli and Bill Spadea, the top contenders, have expressed their desire for it.
- Unpredictable as he can be, President Trump's decision on endorsing a candidate before the June 10 primary remains uncertain, despite meetings with both contenders.
- In the primary, the competition seems to be intensified by the question of who is the most Trump-loyal candidate among the contenders.
- The race for the New Jersey governor's seat includes candidates like Jeanette Hoffman's "forever Trumper," Mario Kranjac, who is positioning himself as a staunch advocate for Trump's agenda, underscoring the extent to which Trump has influenced GOP politics.
