Rep. Mikie Sherrill, the Democratic Party's gubernatorial nominee in New Jersey, holds a news conference at a commuter rail station in Secaucus, N.J. on Oct. 16, 2025. (Paul Steinhauser/Fox News)
Sherrill, spotlighting the significance of Trump's move, added that "this tunnel project can be responsible for almost 100,000 jobs in the region. That's what's at stake. If we see delays in this, it's $1 million a day we'll be paying."
And taking aim at Ciattarelli, who has the president's backing in the race to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, Sherrill reiterated that, "I'm fighting for the people of New Jersey. He's fighting to excuse Trump. It's unacceptable."
CIATTARELLI WELCOMES TRUMP'S HELP IN FINAL STRETCH IN BATTLE FOR NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR
The future of the Gateway Project has been in the spotlight in the showdown between Sherrill and Ciattarelli since the Trump administration, hours into the federal government shutdown, announced the freezing of billions of dollars for the tunnel, as well as for the extension of New York City's Second Avenue Subway.
But Trump turned up the heat on Wednesday, with the surprise announcement on Wednesday, as he and congressional Republicans continue to blame Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, the top Democrat in the chamber, for the government shutdown.
"The project in New York, it’s billions and billions of dollars that Schumer has worked 20 years to get. It’s terminated," Trump told reporters.
Ciattarelli, taking to social media a couple of hours later, said: "New Jersey needs Governor who has the standing to work with, and when necessary disagree with, the President and advocate for New Jersey’s fair share of federal tax dollars - including the Gateway Tunnel. This is a critical infrastructure project and I will fight to get it done."
New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial nominee Rep. Mikie Sherrill, right, and Republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli, on the stage moments at the start of their second and final debate, on Oct. 8, 2025, in New Brunswick, N.J. (Paul Steinhauser/Fox News Digital)
Asked whether he considered himself part of the MAGA movement, Ciattarelli said he was "part of a New Jersey movement."
When asked to grade the president's performance so far during his second term, Ciattarelli said, "I'd certainly give the president an A. I think he's right about everything that he's doing."
"I think that tells us all we need to know about who Jack Ciattarelli's supporting. I give him an F right now," Sherrill responded, as she pointed to New Jersey's high cost of living.
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While Democrats have long dominated federal and state legislative elections in blue-leaning New Jersey, Republicans are very competitive in gubernatorial contests, winning five out of the past ten elections.
And Trump made major gains in New Jersey in last year's presidential election, losing the state by only 6 percentage points, an improvement over his 16-point deficit four years earlier.
Sherrill's news conference came the day after multiple sources confirmed to Fox News that Trump will hold tele-rallies with Ciattarelli.
In what’s expected to be a low-turnout election, Trump’s backing could prove crucial for Ciattarelli, who’s making his third run for governor after narrowly losing to Murphy four years ago.
"There's obviously a whole lot of people across the state of New Jersey that are pleased with the job the president's doing," Ciattarelli said Wednesday in a Fox News Digital interview.
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Pointing to the president's push to temporarily halt wind farms off the Jersey Shore, his vow to kill New York's congestion pricing, tax cuts, deductions, and credits in the GOP's massive domestic policy measure, and his efforts to secure the nation's southern border, Ciattarelli said that people "are very pleased with the president, what he's done for New Jersey."
Trump endorsed Ciattarelli earlier this year in the GOP gubernatorial nomination race. And the president headlined a tele-rally for Ciattarelli ahead of the June primary.
Paul Steinhauser is a politics reporter based in the swing state of New Hampshire. He covers the campaign trail from coast to coast."
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/sherrill-accuses-ciattarelli-siding-trump-after-president-halts-major-new-jersey-rail-project