Jack Ciattarelli has been endorsed by President Donald Trump for governor of New Jersey. (Getty Images)
Ciattarelli responded to the endorsement on X, saying he was "truly humbled and honored to receive President Trump’s very strong endorsement today. It’s time to unite our party, win big in November, and make New Jersey affordable and safe again." Ciattarelli finished his post by saying "When I am Governor, we will."
Trump and Ciattarelli appear to be turning a new leaf. Ciattarelli was once a harsh Trump critic, going so far as to call Trump a "charlatan" and saying he was "not fit to be President of the United States" back in 2015.
Ciattarelli seems to have changed his stance on Trump since those comments and was even seen at Trump's Wildwood, New Jersey, rally in 2020 shaking hands and taking photos with event-goers.
Ciattarelli appeared to gain popularity, and in 2021 came within three points of defeating Democratic incumbent Governor Phil Murphy.
Now, he will face Bill Spadea, a conservative radio host, and State Senator Jon Bramnick in the June 10 Republican primary.
Trump threw his considerable political influence into the race for governor of New Jersey on Monday - giving his full endorsement to former critic Jack Ciattarelli. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
The New Jersey Democratic Governors Association (DGA) also blasted the endorsement.
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"This endorsement just confirms what we already knew: Jack Ciattarelli would put Donald Trump before New Jersey," DGA Communications Director Sam Newton said in a statement. " As Governor, Ciattarelli would bring Trump’s agenda of higher costs and chaos to Trenton – instead of fighting to protect New Jersey’s freedoms and working to make life more affordable."
Nick Butler is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Do you have any tips? Reach out to Nick.Butler@Fox.com.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-endorses-jack-ciattarelli-new-jersey-governor-a-winner