Trump-backed Ciattarelli gets major campaign trail surprise on Election Eve
TOTOWA, N.J. — It was a surprise family reunion on Monday for New Jersey Republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli, on the eve of the state's crucial election for governor.Speaking to supporters...
By Fox News · Fox News
TOTOWA, N.J. — It was a surprise family reunion on Monday for New Jersey Republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli, on the eve of the state's crucial election for governor. Speaking to supporters packed into a tavern in this northern New Jersey borough at his first campaign event of the day, Ciattarelli was interrupted by Peter Murphy, the owner of the bar, a longtime friend and supporter and the Passaic County GOP chairman, who introduced a special guest. Ciattarelli appeared shocked when his son Jake, an Army captain deployed to Kuwait, then walked over to him. The GOP nominee, who has narrowed the gap with Democratic rival Rep. Mikie Sherrill in a very competitive and combustible race to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy , put his hand to his head in a sign of disbelief. HEAD HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS REPORTING ON THE 2025 ELECTIONS As the two men hugged, the crowd of supporters broke out into cheers of "USA, USA, USA." Ciattarelli, looking towards Murphy and the crowd moments later, said, "Let me guess. You called the president yesterday. He sent over Air Force One to Kuwait. They picked up Jake. If I know the young man, he’ll probably be on a plane this afternoon back to Kuwait to defend our country." And Ciattarelli added, "What he probably forgot to do since he’s been so busy defending our nation. He probably forgot to get in his vote-by-mail ballot. He’s here to vote. TRUMP TAPS MASSIVE WARCHEST TO ENERGIZE MAGA VOTERS IN ELECTION 2025 FINAL PUSH Ciattarelli later told Fox News Digital he was "truly surprised. I didn’t have a clue. Didn’t have a clue. Magnificent thrill." New Jersey and Virginia are the only two states to hold gubernatorial contests the year after a presidential election, and the two contests typically receive outsized national attention. The elections are also seen as a key barometer ahead of next year's midterms, when the GOP will be defending its slim House and Senate majorities. This year's elections are also seen as the fir…