Trump Achieved Significant Advances in New Jersey; Could Influence GOP Governor Primary
Many candidates seem to be tailoring their messages specifically for one part-time New Jersey resident: Donald Trump.
TroibNews 
The Republican primary for governor in New Jersey has turned contentious and acrimonious, with Jack Ciattarelli and Bill Spadea as the leading candidates. Their recent debate was marked by an evident disdain for one another, to the point where they avoided eye contact.
Despite their fierce rivalry, both candidates share a common allegiance to President Donald Trump. Trump's influence looms large over the primary, as a single tweet or "Truth" from him could dramatically reshape the race in a state that has shifted toward purple in the past elections.
In the last election, Trump fell short by just six points of securing New Jersey's 14 electoral votes, stirring hopes among Republicans for a resurgence this year. Since Chris Christie won reelection in 2013, the governorship has remained out of GOP hands.
As Ciattarelli and Spadea vie for the support of Trump's base, they appear to tailor their messages with Trump himself in mind. George Gilmore, the Ocean County Republican chair and a Spadea supporter linked to a Spadea-affiliated PAC, said, “If Trump endorses Spadea, I think the primary is over. We’ll just have to wait and see what the president decides to do.”
The race also features candidates like former state Senator Ed Durr, who emphasizes Trump’s direct communication with him after his unexpected victory in 2021, and Mario Kranjac, a former Englewood Cliffs mayor, enlisted to run by the “America First Republicans of New Jersey.”
In contrast, State Senator Jon Bramnick stands out as a moderate Republican who has openly criticized Trump for years.
Now back in the political game, Trump has started to influence gubernatorial campaigns. He endorsed Republican Rep. Byron Donalds for governor in Florida just a week ago, even though that primary is not until next year. New Jersey's primary occurs in June, and the candidates' attempts to display loyalty while seeking an endorsement hint at a broader strategy for the upcoming midterms in 2026.
Trump's previous attempts to be a kingmaker in New Jersey have not led to success. In the 2024 Senate primary, he backed Christine Serrano-Glassner over businessperson Curtis Bashaw, who ultimately won. This year, however, the absence of the "county line" in the primary could enhance the power of a Trump endorsement, as local political organizations appear to hold less influence.
For Spadea, who recently hosted a drive-time radio show promoting far-right views, the claim is straightforward: he embodies Trumpism more than his opponents. He continually highlights how Ciattarelli distanced himself from Trump’s support during his 2021 campaign, where Ciattarelli nearly won, trailing by just three points. Trump has indicated that Ciattarelli might have succeeded had he embraced Trump's backing more openly. “I have been an ardent, strong and effective supporter of President Trump since he came down the escalator in 2015,” Spadea stated at the debate.
On the other hand, Ciattarelli and his supporters are employing a dual strategy: sowing doubt about Spadea’s loyalty to Trump while underscoring his weaker fundraising ability in comparison to the state's dominant Democrats in the general election.
A super PAC aligned with Ciattarelli, “Kitchen Table Conservatives,” led by former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway and ad strategist Larry Weitzner, has scrutinized Spadea’s past criticisms of Trump while drawing attention to his fundraising challenges.
According to Trump’s statements, he seems to favor Spadea. During a phone call to Spadea's radio show, he remarked, “you’ve had my back from the beginning.” Trump also critiqued Ciattarelli for not seeking his support back in 2021, suggesting this shortcoming cost him votes.
Ciattarelli's campaign has leveraged Spadea's past remarks, highlighting moments where Spadea expressed discontent with Trump post-2020 election, criticizing him for not being forceful enough against his adversaries and calling for new leadership in the party.
A senior official from Ciattarelli's campaign, speaking anonymously about strategy, noted that Spadea's past comments have surprised some in Trump’s circle, damaging his claims of being a longtime supporter. Citattiorelli himself has faced scrutiny for past criticisms of Trump, calling him a “charlatan” in 2015, though his supporters argue his views have evolved significantly since then.
While vying for primary voters' support for Trump, the candidates have kept their efforts to connect with the former president somewhat private. Kranjac, in a recent interview, identified himself as the candidate most aligned with Trump, citing his resistance to state educational policies he deems Marxist. “People know I’m the only candidate who will do what everyone says I’ll do in terms of filing New Jersey, because I did it in Englewood Cliffs,” he stated.
Spadea's backers are wary of Kranjac, viewing his campaign as a potential spoiler for Spadea’s efforts. “It’s designed to take votes away from Spadea, which only helps one person. That’s Ciattarelli,” said Gilmore. To which, Kranjac responded that his goal is simply to win the primary and the subsequent election.
Durr, who made headlines by upsetting Sweeney, claims to be the sole candidate who has consistently spoken positively about Trump and would welcome his endorsement. However, he believes the conversation should focus more on New Jersey-specific issues. “I think there needs to be more substance behind the candidates than just saying you’re for Trump,” he concluded.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
Despite their fierce rivalry, both candidates share a common allegiance to President Donald Trump. Trump's influence looms large over the primary, as a single tweet or "Truth" from him could dramatically reshape the race in a state that has shifted toward purple in the past elections.
In the last election, Trump fell short by just six points of securing New Jersey's 14 electoral votes, stirring hopes among Republicans for a resurgence this year. Since Chris Christie won reelection in 2013, the governorship has remained out of GOP hands.
As Ciattarelli and Spadea vie for the support of Trump's base, they appear to tailor their messages with Trump himself in mind. George Gilmore, the Ocean County Republican chair and a Spadea supporter linked to a Spadea-affiliated PAC, said, “If Trump endorses Spadea, I think the primary is over. We’ll just have to wait and see what the president decides to do.”
The race also features candidates like former state Senator Ed Durr, who emphasizes Trump’s direct communication with him after his unexpected victory in 2021, and Mario Kranjac, a former Englewood Cliffs mayor, enlisted to run by the “America First Republicans of New Jersey.”
In contrast, State Senator Jon Bramnick stands out as a moderate Republican who has openly criticized Trump for years.
Now back in the political game, Trump has started to influence gubernatorial campaigns. He endorsed Republican Rep. Byron Donalds for governor in Florida just a week ago, even though that primary is not until next year. New Jersey's primary occurs in June, and the candidates' attempts to display loyalty while seeking an endorsement hint at a broader strategy for the upcoming midterms in 2026.
Trump's previous attempts to be a kingmaker in New Jersey have not led to success. In the 2024 Senate primary, he backed Christine Serrano-Glassner over businessperson Curtis Bashaw, who ultimately won. This year, however, the absence of the "county line" in the primary could enhance the power of a Trump endorsement, as local political organizations appear to hold less influence.
For Spadea, who recently hosted a drive-time radio show promoting far-right views, the claim is straightforward: he embodies Trumpism more than his opponents. He continually highlights how Ciattarelli distanced himself from Trump’s support during his 2021 campaign, where Ciattarelli nearly won, trailing by just three points. Trump has indicated that Ciattarelli might have succeeded had he embraced Trump's backing more openly. “I have been an ardent, strong and effective supporter of President Trump since he came down the escalator in 2015,” Spadea stated at the debate.
On the other hand, Ciattarelli and his supporters are employing a dual strategy: sowing doubt about Spadea’s loyalty to Trump while underscoring his weaker fundraising ability in comparison to the state's dominant Democrats in the general election.
A super PAC aligned with Ciattarelli, “Kitchen Table Conservatives,” led by former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway and ad strategist Larry Weitzner, has scrutinized Spadea’s past criticisms of Trump while drawing attention to his fundraising challenges.
According to Trump’s statements, he seems to favor Spadea. During a phone call to Spadea's radio show, he remarked, “you’ve had my back from the beginning.” Trump also critiqued Ciattarelli for not seeking his support back in 2021, suggesting this shortcoming cost him votes.
Ciattarelli's campaign has leveraged Spadea's past remarks, highlighting moments where Spadea expressed discontent with Trump post-2020 election, criticizing him for not being forceful enough against his adversaries and calling for new leadership in the party.
A senior official from Ciattarelli's campaign, speaking anonymously about strategy, noted that Spadea's past comments have surprised some in Trump’s circle, damaging his claims of being a longtime supporter. Citattiorelli himself has faced scrutiny for past criticisms of Trump, calling him a “charlatan” in 2015, though his supporters argue his views have evolved significantly since then.
While vying for primary voters' support for Trump, the candidates have kept their efforts to connect with the former president somewhat private. Kranjac, in a recent interview, identified himself as the candidate most aligned with Trump, citing his resistance to state educational policies he deems Marxist. “People know I’m the only candidate who will do what everyone says I’ll do in terms of filing New Jersey, because I did it in Englewood Cliffs,” he stated.
Spadea's backers are wary of Kranjac, viewing his campaign as a potential spoiler for Spadea’s efforts. “It’s designed to take votes away from Spadea, which only helps one person. That’s Ciattarelli,” said Gilmore. To which, Kranjac responded that his goal is simply to win the primary and the subsequent election.
Durr, who made headlines by upsetting Sweeney, claims to be the sole candidate who has consistently spoken positively about Trump and would welcome his endorsement. However, he believes the conversation should focus more on New Jersey-specific issues. “I think there needs to be more substance behind the candidates than just saying you’re for Trump,” he concluded.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
