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Jack Ciattarelli
Jack Ciattarelli (Republican Party) is running for election for Governor of New Jersey. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025. He advanced from the Republican primary on June 10, 2025.
Ciattarelli (Republican Party) was a member of the New Jersey General Assembly, representing District 16. He assumed office in 2011. He left office in 2018.
Ciattarelli previously served as assistant minority whip in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2014 to 2018.[1]
Ciattarelli was a 2017 Republican candidate for governor of New Jersey, but lost in the primary election on June 6, 2017.
Biography
Ciattarelli earned both his B.S. in accounting and his M.B.A in finance from Seton Hall University. His professional experience includes being a publisher and the owner of Galen Publishing, LLC.[2]
Nov. 4 New Jersey gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election
Ballotpedia identified the Nov. 4 New Jersey gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election as a battleground election. For more on the election, click here.
Mikie Sherrill (D) and Jack Ciattarelli (R) are running in the general election for governor of New Jersey on Nov. 4, 2025. Incumbent Gov. Phil Murphy (D) is term-limited.
The Hill's Jared Gans wrote that "Republicans [are seeking] to build on gains that the party made in the state in the November [2024 presidential] election and Democrats [are trying] to keep the Garden State blue."[3]
In the 2024 presidential election, Kamala Harris (D) defeated Donald Trump (R) in the state by six percentage points. That margin of victory (MOV) is less than the 16 percentage points by which Joe Biden (D) defeated Trump in the 2020 presidential election in the state.
In the 2021 New Jersey gubernatorial election, Murphy defeated Ciattarelli by three percentage points. That MOV is less than the 14 percentage points by which Murphy defeated Kim Guadagno (R) in the 2017 gubernatorial election in the state.
According to The Washington Post's Hannah Knowles, the election may also give insight into how voters feel about each political party: "Democrats are eager to make the race a referendum on the president and accuse Ciattarelli of cozying up to Trump for political gain. [...] Republicans hope to make it a referendum on liberal leadership in New Jersey."[4]
Sherrill was elected to represent New Jersey's 11th Congressional District in 2018. Before her election, Republicans had represented the district since 1985. Sherill previously worked as a lawyer in private practice and the U.S. Attorney's office for the District of New Jersey.[5] She also served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy from 1994 to 2003.[5]
On the election, Sherrill said, "Let's be clear about the two visions in this race: I am ready to stand up to an extreme Washington that doesn't have New Jersey's best interests at heart. Jack has already surrendered to them. It's our duty to meet the moment and live up to our state's motto of liberty and prosperity, because a Trump yes man like Jack Ciattarelli in Trenton will threaten it all."[6] Her priorities include increasing new home construction, capping prescription drug costs, and expanding the state's child tax credit.[7][8][9]
Ciattarelli represented District 16 in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2011 to 2018. He previously served on the Raritan Borough Council from 1989 to 1995 and the Somerset County Board of Commissioners from 2007 to 2011. This is Ciattarelli's third bid for governor after running unsuccessfully in 2017 and 2021.
On the election, Ciattarelli posted on X, "My family has called this state home for over 100 years—and like so many New Jerseyans, we've lived the American Dream right here. But today, that dream feels out of reach for too many. We've seen what happens when we hand the keys to people who aren't from here and don't understand the problems we face."[10] His priorities include capping property taxes, reducing state spending by 30%, and expanding charter schools.[11]
On an episode of On the Ballot, NJ.com's Brent Johnson said that affordability will be a key issue in the election: "Affordability is always gonna be a big deal here. We have the most expensive property taxes in the country. The average property tax bill in New Jersey topped 10,000 last year. [...] Property taxes are always at the tip of everyone's tongue when it comes to election seasons."
In New Jersey, the gubernatorial nominee is selected in the primary. The gubernatorial nominee then chooses a lieutenant gubernatorial running mate, and they run together on a single ticket in the general election. Sherrill selected Centenary University President Dale Caldwell (D) as her running mate, and Ciattarelli selected Morris County Sheriff James Gannon (R) as his running mate.[12][13] The New Jersey Globe's Zach Blackburn wrote, "Gannon [...] is from Sherrill's district, and both have proven to be strong vote-getters in Morris County. The pair has kept a cordial relationship, and Sherrill has occasionally praised Gannon's work."[13]
Voters have not elected a member of the same party for three consecutive gubernatorial terms since 1961.[14] However, in eight of the 10 gubernatorial elections from 1985 to 2021, voters elected a governor from the opposite party of the president.[15]
The following minor party candidates are also running in the election: Vic Kaplan (L) and Joanne Kuniansky (Socialist Workers Party).
Committee assignments
2016 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2016 legislative session, Ciattarelli served on the following committees:
New Jersey committee assignments, 2016 |
---|
• Financial Institutions and Insurance |
• Regulated Professions |
2015 legislative session
In the 2015 legislative session, Ciattarelli served on the following committees:
New Jersey committee assignments, 2015 |
---|
• Financial Institutions and Insurance |
• Regulated Professions |
2014 legislative session
In the 2014 legislative session, Ciattarelli served on the following committees:
New Jersey committee assignments, 2014 |
---|
• Financial Institutions and Insurance |
• Regulated Professions |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2025
See also: New Jersey gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2025
General election
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
General election for Governor of New Jersey
Mikie Sherrill, Jack Ciattarelli, Vic Kaplan, and Joanne Kuniansky are running in the general election for Governor of New Jersey on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | ||
![]() | Mikie Sherrill (D) | |
![]() | Jack Ciattarelli (R) | |
![]() | Vic Kaplan (L) | |
Joanne Kuniansky (Socialist Workers Party) |
![]() | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Karen Zaletel (Independent)
- Lily Benavides (G)
- Stephen Zielinski (G)
- Gerardo Cedrone (Independent)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of New Jersey
The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for Governor of New Jersey on June 10, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Mikie Sherrill | 34.0 | 286,244 |
![]() | Ras Baraka | 20.7 | 173,951 | |
![]() | Steve Fulop | 16.0 | 134,573 | |
![]() | Josh Gottheimer | 11.6 | 97,384 | |
![]() | Sean Spiller | 10.6 | 89,472 | |
![]() | Stephen Sweeney | 7.1 | 59,811 |
Total votes: 841,435 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of New Jersey
The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Governor of New Jersey on June 10, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Jack Ciattarelli | 67.8 | 316,283 |
![]() | Bill Spadea | 21.7 | 101,408 | |
![]() | Jon Bramnick | 6.2 | 29,130 | |
![]() | Mario Kranjac | 2.7 | 12,782 | |
![]() | Justin Barbera | 1.4 | 6,743 | |
![]() | Hans Herberg (Write-in) ![]() | 0.0 | 0 |
Total votes: 466,346 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- James Fazzone (R)
- Roger Bacon (R)
- Monica Brinson (R)
- Robert Canfield (R)
- Edward R. Durr (R)
Endorsements
Ciattarelli received the following endorsements. To send us additional endorsements, click here.
- President Donald Trump (R)
- State Sen. Declan O'Scanlon Jr. (R)
- State Sen. Joseph Pennacchio (R)
- State Sen. Vincent Polistina (R)
- State Sen. Mike Testa Jr. (R)
- State Rep. Don Guardian (R)
- State Rep. Claire Swift (R)
- Union of Operating Engineers Local 478
- Association of Former New Jersey State Troopers
- New Jersey State Retired Police and Firemen's Association
2021
See also: New Jersey gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2021
New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2021 (June 8 Republican primary)
New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2021 (June 8 Democratic primary)
General election
General election for Governor of New Jersey
Incumbent Phil Murphy defeated Jack Ciattarelli, Madelyn Hoffman, Gregg Mele, and Joanne Kuniansky in the general election for Governor of New Jersey on November 2, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Phil Murphy (D) | 51.2 | 1,339,471 |
![]() | Jack Ciattarelli (R) | 48.0 | 1,255,185 | |
Madelyn Hoffman (G) ![]() | 0.3 | 8,450 | ||
![]() | Gregg Mele (L) | 0.3 | 7,768 | |
Joanne Kuniansky (Socialist Workers Party) | 0.2 | 4,012 |
Total votes: 2,614,886 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Robert Edward Forchion Jr. (Legalize Marihuana Party)
- Justin Maldonado (Independent)
- David Winkler (Independent)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of New Jersey
Incumbent Phil Murphy defeated Lisa McCormick in the Democratic primary for Governor of New Jersey on June 8, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Phil Murphy | 100.0 | 382,984 |
Lisa McCormick (Write-in) | 0.0 | 0 |
Total votes: 382,984 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Roger Bacon (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of New Jersey
Jack Ciattarelli defeated Philip Rizzo, Hirsh Singh, and Brian Levine in the Republican primary for Governor of New Jersey on June 8, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Jack Ciattarelli | 49.5 | 167,690 |
![]() | Philip Rizzo | 25.7 | 87,007 | |
![]() | Hirsh Singh | 21.6 | 73,155 | |
![]() | Brian Levine | 3.3 | 11,181 |
Total votes: 339,033 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Doug Steinhardt (R)
2017
New Jersey held an election for governor and lieutenant governor on November 7, 2017. Governor Chris Christie (R) was term-limited and ineligible to run for re-election. New Jersey elects its governor and lieutenant governor together on a joint ticket.
The general election took place on November 7, 2017. The primary election was held on June 6, 2017. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in the primary election was April 3, 2017.
The following candidates ran in the election for Governor and Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey.[16]
New Jersey Gubernatorial and Lieutenant Gubernatorial Election, 2017 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
Democratic | ![]() |
56.03% | 1,203,110 | |
Republican | Kim Guadagno/Carlos Rendo | 41.89% | 899,583 | |
Independent | Gina Genovese/Derel Stroud | 0.57% | 12,294 | |
Libertarian | Peter Rohrman/Karese Laguerre | 0.49% | 10,531 | |
Green | Seth Kaper-Dale/Lisa Durden | 0.47% | 10,053 | |
Constitution | Matt Riccardi | 0.32% | 6,864 | |
Independent | Vincent Ross/April Johnson | 0.23% | 4,980 | |
Total Votes (6385/6385 precincts reporting) | 2,147,415 | |||
Source: New Jersey Division of Elections |
Kim Guadagno defeated Jack Ciattarelli, Hirsh Singh, Joseph Rudy Rullo, and Steve Rogers in the Republican primary.[17]
New Jersey Republican Gubernatorial Primary, 2017 | ||
---|---|---|
Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
![]() |
46.82% | 113,846 |
Jack Ciattarelli | 31.08% | 75,556 |
Hirsh Singh | 9.76% | 23,728 |
Joseph Rudy Rullo | 6.51% | 15,816 |
Steve Rogers | 5.84% | 14,187 |
Total Votes | 243,133 | |
Source: New Jersey Division of Elections |
Phil Murphy defeated Jim Johnson, John Wisniewski, Ray Lesniak, Bill Brennan, and Mark Zinna in the Democratic primary.[17]
New Jersey Democratic Gubernatorial Primary, 2017 | ||
---|---|---|
Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
![]() |
48.42% | 243,643 |
Jim Johnson | 21.91% | 110,250 |
John Wisniewski | 21.57% | 108,532 |
Ray Lesniak | 4.83% | 24,318 |
Bill Brennan | 2.24% | 11,263 |
Mark Zinna | 1.04% | 5,213 |
Total Votes | 503,219 | |
Source: New Jersey Division of Elections |
2015
Elections for the New Jersey General Assembly took place in 2015. A primary election was held on June 2, 2015. The general election took place on November 3, 2015. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 30, 2015.[18] Since the general assembly uses multi-member districts, the top two candidates from each party in the primaries advanced to the general election. Andrew Zwicker and Maureen Vella were bracketed together and were unopposed in the Democratic primary. Incumbent Jack Ciattarelli and incumbent Donna Simon were bracketed together and were unopposed in the Republican primary. The four candidates faced off in the general election. Zwicker (D) and Ciattarelli (R) defeated Vella (D) and Simon (R) in the general election. After all provisional ballots were counted on November 9, 2015, Zwicker led Simon by 78 votes.[19] Simon had until November 18 to concede the race or to file for a recount. Simon decided not to pursue a recount.[20][21][22][23][24]
2013
Ciattarelli won re-election in the 2013 election for New Jersey General Assembly District 16. Ciattarelli was bracketed with Donna Simon. He was unopposed in the June 4 Republican primary. He and incumbent Donna Simon (R) defeated Marie Corfield (D), Ida Ochoteco (D), and Patrick McKnight (L) in the general election, which took place on November 5, 2013.[25][26][27][28]
2011
Ciattarelli won election to District 16 of the New Jersey General Assembly. Ciattarelli and Peter Biondi ran unopposed in the Republican primary. They then defeated Marie Corfield (D) and Joe Camarota (D) in the November 8 general election.[29]
Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
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Campaign ads
View more ads here:
2021
Jack Ciattarelli did not complete Ballotpedia's 2021 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign website
Ciattarelli’s campaign website stated the following:
“ |
Lower Property Taxes
Stronger Economy
Stand With Law Enforcement
Rights & Freedoms
Affordable Healthcare
Freedom for Freelancers Improve Education & Empower Parents Revitalize New Jersey Cities
Honoring And Thanking Veterans
|
” |
—Jack Ciattarelli’s campaign website (2021)[31] |
2017
The following campaign themes were found on Ciattarelli's website. For a full list of themes, click here.
“ |
School Funding Reform
Tax Reform
Employee Benefits Reform
|
” |
—Jack Ciattarelli[32] |
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of New Jersey scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2017
In 2017, the 217th New Jersey State Legislature, second annual session, was in session from January 10 through January 9, 2018.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to civil liberties.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
2016
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the 217th New Jersey State Legislature, first annual session, was in session from January 12 through January 10, 2017.
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2015
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the 216th New Jersey State Legislature, second annual session, was in session from January 13 through December 31.
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2014
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, the 216th New Jersey State Legislature, first annual session, was in session from January 14 through January 12, 2015.
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2013
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
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In 2013, the 215th New Jersey State Legislature, second annual session, was in session from January 10 to January 13, 2014.
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2012
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
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In 2012, the 215th New Jersey State Legislature, first annual session, was in session from January 10 to January 9, 2013.
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Endorsements
Presidential preference
2012
Jack Ciattarelli endorsed Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election.[33]
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Ciattarelli and his wife have four children.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ NJ.com, "Jack Ciattarelli to temporarily fill 16th District Assembly seat opened by Peter Biondi's death," November 25, 2011
- ↑ Jack Ciattarelli's 2021 campaign website, "Jack's Story," accessed April 23, 2021
- ↑ The Hill, "Sherrill leading Ciattarelli by 8 points in New Jersey governor race: Survey," July 29, 2025
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Mikie Sherrill to face Trump-backed Jack Ciattarelli for N.J. governor," June 11, 2025
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 LinkedIn, "Mikie Sherrill," accessed August 7, 2025
- ↑ Mikie Sherrill Campaign Website, "Sherrill Wins Democratic Primary for New Jersey Gubernatorial Race," June 10, 2025
- ↑ Mikie Sherrill Campaign Website, "Housing," accessed August 7, 2025
- ↑ Mikie Sherrill Campaign Website, "Health Care Costs," accessed August 7, 2025
- ↑ Mikie Sherrill Campaign Website, "Early Childhood," accessed August 7, 2025
- ↑ X, "Jack Ciattarelli on August 5, 2025," accessed August 7, 2025
- ↑ Jack Ciattarelli Campaign Website, "Jack's Plan to Fix New Jersey," accessed August 7, 2025
- ↑ The New Jersey Globe, "Sherrill formally nominates Dale Caldwell as running mate," July 25, 2025
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 The New Jersey Globe, "Ciattarelli Officially Introduces Gannon As Running Mate," July 23, 2025
- ↑ The New Jersey Globe, "Last Time N.J. Went For A Governor Of The Same Party Three Times In A Row Was 1961," May 12, 2023
- ↑ NBC News, "Trump solidifies one New Jersey primary as the other sees a shakeup: From the Politics Desk," May 13, 2025
- ↑ New Jersey Division of Elections, "Official List - Candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor," accessed November 7, 2017
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 New Jersey Division of Elections, "Official Primary Results 2017 - Governor," June 28, 2017
- ↑ New Jersey Department of Elections, "2015 Primary Election Timeline," accessed February 2, 2015
- ↑ My Central Jersey, "Final count gives Democrat win over GOP assemblywoman," accessed November 10, 2015
- ↑ Patch.com, "Donna Simon Will Not Pursue Recount in 16th Legislative Assembly Race," accessed November 18, 2015
- ↑ New Jersey Department of State, "Official candidate list for June 2 primary," accessed May 22, 2015
- ↑ New Jersey Department of State, "Official primary election results for General Assembly," accessed August 10, 2015
- ↑ New Jersey Department of State, "Official list for candidate for General Assembly," accessed August 10, 2015
- ↑ New Jersey Department of State, "Official general election results for General Assembly," accessed December 7, 2015
- ↑ New Jersey Department of Elections, "Official Primary Election Results," accessed July 26, 2013
- ↑ New Jersey Department of State, "Official 2013 General Assembly general election candidates," accessed April 10, 2014
- ↑ Associated Press, "New Jersey - Summary Vote Results," November 6, 2013
- ↑ New Jersey Department of State, "2013 Official General Election results," accessed December 9, 2013
- ↑ New Jersey Department of State, "2011 Official General Assembly Primary Candidate List," accessed April 10, 2014
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Jack Ciattarelli’s campaign website, “Jack's Plan,” accessed September 3, 2021
- ↑ Jack Ciattarelli, "My Plan," accessed May 24, 2017
- ↑ Mitt Romney for President, "Mitt Romney Announces Support of New Jersey Leaders," April 11, 2014