the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, the race for the New Jersey Republican gubernatorial primary is heating up, with top contenders Jack Ciattarelli and Bill Spadea seemingly competing over who can secure the most loyalty from President Donald Trump. Over the weekend, their rivalry reached a new level when both candidates met with Trump—yet only one openly publicized the encounter.
Ciattarelli Showcases Trump Meeting, Spadea Stays Silent
At the New Jersey GOP Statewide Leadership Conference in Atlantic City, speculation swirled about Ciattarelli’s sudden departure. He was reportedly headed to Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster for a meeting with the former president. That speculation was confirmed when Ciattarelli posted photos on X (formerly Twitter), shaking hands with Trump and even sitting at a table with Trump and Elon Musk—suggesting more than just a simple photo op.
Meanwhile, news broke that Spadea also met with Trump the following day. However, in a surprising move, Spadea has not acknowledged or publicized the visit. For a candidate who brands himself as “unapologetically pro-Trump” and frequently tags Trump in social media posts, his silence has raised eyebrows among political insiders.
Trump’s Endorsement Could Decide the Primary
New Jersey GOP strategists believe that Trump’s endorsement could significantly impact the primary race. In 2021, Ciattarelli narrowly lost to Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy by just three points. Trump previously stated on Spadea’s radio show that Ciattarelli made “big mistakes” in that race by not aligning himself closely enough with the MAGA movement.
If Trump officially backs one candidate, it could reshape the Republican primary landscape in New Jersey. However, Trump’s team has remained silent about whether he plans to make an endorsement.
Spadea’s Anti-Establishment Strategy
Unlike Ciattarelli, who attended the Atlantic City summit and engaged with GOP insiders, Spadea skipped the event, calling it an “insider mutual admiration event.” His campaign argues that they are focusing on grassroots efforts rather than traditional party structures. However, some within the party feel his absence alienated potential allies.
Spadea’s campaign also clashed with the New Jersey GOP leadership over the selection of a moderator for candidate interviews at the conference. His team claims that the state party favors Ciattarelli and rejected their preferred interviewer.
The Role of Ed Durr and the Conservative Movement
Former State Sen. Ed Durr, known as “Ed the Trucker” and a vocal anti-establishment figure, added another layer of intrigue to the race. Earlier this week, conflicting reports suggested he had endorsed Spadea. However, Durr later denied the endorsement but attended Spadea’s campaign event, declaring, “The conservative movement is moving forward, the establishment is dead.”
What’s Next in the New Jersey GOP Primary?
As the primary race continues, both candidates are vying to position themselves as Trump’s preferred choice. Ciattarelli is leveraging his publicized meeting with Trump and his perceived establishment backing, while Spadea is betting on an anti-establishment, grassroots appeal.
The biggest question remains: Will Trump’s endorsement determine the winner? And if he remains silent, will either candidate be able to claim the MAGA mantle convincingly? With months left before the primary, the battle for New Jersey’s Republican gubernatorial nomination is far from over.
Follow the Ridgewood blog has a brand-new new X account, we tweet good sh$t
https://twitter.com/TRBNJNews
https://truthsocial.com/@theridgewoodblog
https://mewe.com/jamesfoytlin.74/posts
#news #follow #media #trending #viral #newsupdate #currentaffairs #BergenCountyNews #NJBreakingNews #NJHeadlines #NJTopStories
