Republican gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli, left, is joined by GOP Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida at a diner in Linden, New Jersey. (Paul Steinhauser/Fox News )
Ciattarelli, who's making his third straight run for Garden State governor, and who nearly upset Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy four years ago, says things are different this time around.
"Because of the closeness of that race in '21, people are paying closer attention this time around," Ciattarelli said.
In a state where registered Democrats still outnumber Republicans despite a GOP surge in registration this decade, four public opinion polls released over the past two weeks — from Fox News, Quinnipiac University, Fairleigh Dickinson University and Rutgers-Eagleton — indicated Ciattarelli narrowing the margins with Sherrill in the race to succeed the term-limited Murphy.
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"I think we're in a great position," Ciattarelli emphasized. " As you know, many of these polls have a dead heat. And that's in a state in which Republicans typically under poll because we are the minority party. And when you have the endorsement of Democratic mayors across the state, it says people want change. That's exactly what we're going to deliver when we win this race."
Donalds, who has Trump's backing as he runs for Florida's governor next year, touted that in New Jersey, "the wind is at our back."
Asked why he made the trip, the congressman said, "It's about New Jersey and making sure that the people of the Garden State get out and vote. That's all that matters right now."
Donalds was the second major MAGA star to parachute into New Jersey. Last week, Ciattarelli was joined at a diner packed inside and outside with supporters by Ohio gubernatorial candidate and former White House contender Vivek Ramaswamy.
President Donald Trump, seen speaking at a campaign event in Wildwood, New Jersey, May 11, 2024, will headline a tele-rally for Jack Ciattarelli, the 2025 Republican gubernatorial nominee in the Garden State. (Hannah Beier/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
While it's still not clear if Trump will physically hit the campaign trail in New Jersey sometime during the next two weeks, Fox News confirmed that the president will hold a tele-rally with Ciattarelli ahead of Election Day.
Asked if he wants Trump to join him in person on the campaign trail, Ciattarelli didn't directly answer.
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"The White House is working in close partnership with us, and what they've said is 'we'll do whatever it is that we think we can do to win.' The president is very busy. So he's got a lot going on. We're happy to work in partnership with the White House to deliver a win here," Ciattarelli said.
While Trump isn't on the ballot, he's loomed large over the New Jersey gubernatorial election.
Rep. Byron Donalds joins Jack Ciattarelli on the campaign trail at a diner in Linden, New Jersey, on Oct. 22, 2025. (Paul Steinhauser/Fox News)
But Donalds argued that Sherrill's focus on linking Ciattarelli to Trump would backfire.
"I think that's a stupid strategy," Donalds said. "Let me tell you why. He secured the border. That's what the American people want, even people in New Jersey. He's done that. Our economy is sound and getting better every single day. That's what all Americans want."
Sherrill, a Naval Academy graduate who flew helicopters during her military service and who was first elected to Congress in 2018, is getting plenty of company on the campaign trail. This past weekend she was joined by two of the biggest names in the party — Govs. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Wes Moore of Maryland — who are considered potential 2028 White House contenders. And former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, two more potential presidential candidates, are on deck.
Former President Barack Obama speaking at the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced on Tuesday that it's upping the ante, infusing more money into the New Jersey Democratic Coordinated Campaign, on top of the $3 million it's already dished out in the Garden State.
"This November will set the tone for years to come, and it’s our moment to show Donald Trump and the Republicans that their time in power is coming to an end," DNC Chair Ken Martin said in a statement.
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New Jersey traditionally elects a governor from the party out of power in the White House, which this year would favor the Democrats.
But Garden State voters haven't elected a governor from the same party in three straight elections in over a half century, which would favor the Republicans.
One of those political trends will be derailed in two weeks.
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/maga-star-joins-ciattarelli-campaign-trail-new-jersey-republicans-aim-flip-governors-office