GOP gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli implored Republicans not to stay home with Election Day six days away, exclaiming “this is a dead heat” for likely voters.
“Guys, we are right there, okay? Amongst likely voters, this is a dead heat. We knew it would be close, that’s the way it goes. I don’t want anyone leaving here today, whose vested in this campaign and wants to see a change in New Jersey, thinking we can’t win,” he said on the microphone this evening.
“Here’s a couple of facts: in 40-plus years, no incumbent Democratic governor of this state’s been re-elected … and just as Joe Biden’s failing the nation and Phil Murphy’s failing New Jersey, every time a Democrat took the White House in that 40-year span: guess what New Jersey did the following year: elected a Republican governor. Guys, I’ll be damned if either of those two trends come to an end under my watch.”
While Ciattarelli was exuding confidence, Gov. Phil Murphy (D) certainly isn’t sitting back and relaxing, holding rallies with First Lady Jill Biden, former President Barack Obama (D), and House Majority Whip James Clyburn.
And although it wasn’t an official campaign event, President Joe Biden (D) headlined an event in Kearny on Monday, touting the Portal North Bridge Project and commending Murphy in the process.
Nevertheless, Ciattarelli appeared to remain unfazed, telling press afterwards that he continues to engage with the public, as he has for 22 months, and is confident the result that will yield.
Responding to questions from HCV, Ciattarelli addressed the Project Veritas video series where Wendy Martinez, Murphy’s senior adviser for Hispanic outreach, said that the governor planned to implement a statewide vaccine mandate after the election.
Last night, his office said there are no plans to do such a thing, but Ciattarelli remained skeptical.
“Well, it wouldn’t the first time the governor has said one thing and done another. So listen, if the Veritas video is accurate and true, the governor needs to come clean as to what his intentions are. I think as a candidate for governor, you need to tell people what you plan to do as governor,” he said.
“And a lot of people don’t trust this governor in that respect: they’re wondering what his plans are in regards to any vaccine mandate for adults and children and they want to know what his plans are for any economic lockdown – which would not go over well for the people fo New Jersey.”
Ciattarelli added that while he is vaccinated and encourages people to follow suit, he would not force anyone to do so.
As far as his school funding plan, which he has said needs reforms regularly throughout his campaign, he said it would offer “flatter, more equitable distribution,” pledging not o have million dollar homes in New Jersey to pay less in taxes than a $400,000 home.
He said further details are on his website, though his education section does not have specifics regarding school funding.
And while two polls had Ciattarelli within six and four points of Murphy, respectively, the Monmouth University poll has the incumbent leading by 11.
Still, the challenger seemed to be undaunted.
“I don’t know why Monmouth continues to poll all registered voters when the turnout this year will probably be less than 50 percent. Amongst likely voters, this is a dead heat, and that’s where we’ve concentrated our energies, I’m very confident in the outcome after 22 months on the campaign trail: we’ll continue to do what we’re doing.”
The event was hosted by the Hoboken Republican Party and GOP Chair Joe Branco.
The New Jersey General Election is on November 2nd and early voting is underway through Halloween.
The full rally streamed live on our Facebook page and can be viewed here.