Jack Ciattarelli

Jack Ciattarelli
Ciattarelli in 2021
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly
from the 16th district
In office
December 5, 2011 – January 9, 2018
Preceded byPeter J. Biondi
Succeeded byRoy Freiman
Member of the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders
In office
January 1, 2007 – November 23, 2011
Preceded byKen Scherer
Succeeded byMark Caliguire
Personal details
BornGiacchino Michael Ciattarelli
(1961-12-12) December 12, 1961
Somerville, New Jersey, U.S.
PartyRepublican
Spouse
Melinda Castro
​
​
(m. 1995; div. 2025)​
Children4
Alma materSeton Hall University (BS, MBA)
WebsiteCampaign website

Giacchino Michael "Jack" Ciattarelli (/ˌtʃɪtəˈrɛli/ CHIT-ə-REL-ee; born December 12, 1961) is an American businessman and politician. A member of the Republican Party, he represented the 16th legislative district in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2011 to 2018. He was also the Republican nominee for governor of New Jersey in 2021 and 2025, narrowly losing the 2021 election to incumbent Phil Murphy and the 2025 election by a wide margin to U.S. representative Mikie Sherrill, despite polls showing a tight race. He also ran in 2017, but lost the primary to Kim Guadagno, who lost the general election to Murphy.

Early life and education

Ciattarelli was born in Somerville, New Jersey[1] on December 12, 1961,[2][3] and was raised in neighboring Raritan. His paternal grandparents had immigrated to Raritan borough in the 1900s from Valentano, Lazio, Italy.[4] He graduated from Seton Hall University with a degree in accounting and certification in public accounting.[5]

Business career

Ciattarelli is the former owner and publisher of American Medical Publishing and later of Galen Publishing, also a medical publishing company.[6][7] He has worked as a certified public accountant and was the co-founder of several medical journal publishing companies.[2][8][9] He was also an adjunct professor at Seton Hall from 1998 to 2001.[8][6]

Political career

Raritan Borough Council (1990–1995)

Ciattarelli served on the Raritan Borough Council from 1990 to 1995 and was the council president from 1991 until 1995. Ciattarelli chose not to seek re-election in 1995.[3]

Somerset County Board of Freeholders (2007–2011)

After 10 years away from politics, Ciattarelli was elected to the Somerset County Board of Freeholders. He served on the Board of Freeholders from 2007 to November 2011.[3]

New Jersey General Assembly (2011–2018)

In 2011, Ciattarelli ran for the open General Assembly seat in the 16th legislative district, vacated by Denise Coyle, who chose not to run for re-election due to redistricting. On November 8, 2011, he and his running mate Peter J. Biondi defeated the Democratic candidates, Marie Corfield and Joe Camarota. Each of New Jersey's 40 state legislative districts has one Senator and two members in the General Assembly.[10] Biondi died two days after the election. After stepping down from his freeholder position, Ciattarelli was sworn in on December 5, 2011,[11] to complete Biondi's unexpired term, and was sworn in for his first full term on January 10, 2012.[12] He served on the Financial Institutions and Insurance and the Regulated Professions committees in the Assembly. He had previously served as an assistant Republican Whip.[2]

Ciattarelli chose not to seek for re-election in 2017 to instead run for governor.[3] His term in the General Assembly ended on January 9, 2018.

New Jersey gubernatorial campaigns

2017 NJ Gubernatorial Election

Main article: 2017 New Jersey gubernatorial election

In 2017, Ciattarelli ran for governor of New Jersey and lost the Republican primary receiving 31% of the vote. Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno won the primary with 47% of the vote.[13][14]

2021 NJ Gubernatorial Election

Main article: 2021 New Jersey gubernatorial election

In 2021, Ciattarelli ran for governor of New Jersey again. This time, he won the Republican primary receiving 49% of the vote.[15] Although Ciattarelli outperformed expectations,[16] he lost the general election to incumbent governor Phil Murphy, receiving 48.0% of the vote to Murphy's 51.2%.[17] Ciattarelli conceded the race to Murphy on November 12, 2021.[18][19][20]

2025 NJ Gubernatorial Election

Main article: 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial election

A resident of Hillsborough Township, New Jersey,[21] Ciattarelli was the Republican nominee in the 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial election.[22][23] He was endorsed by President Donald Trump in the Republican primary, and won the contest on June 10 with approximately 68% of the vote.[24][25][26]

Ciattarelli faced Democratic U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill in the 2025 general election.[27][28]

During his campaign, Ciattarelli invited Benny Johnson and Jack Posobiec to speak at his campaign rally in Wildwood, New Jersey. During the rally, Posobiec called for the United States Department of Justice to prosecute critics of Donald Trump. Ciattarelli additionally campaigned alongside an anti-vaccine activist, and espoused positions closer to that of the MAGA movement than in his previous campaigns for governor.[29][30]

Ciattarelli lost the general election to Sherrill on November 4, 2025, receiving 42.5% of the vote to Sherrill's 56.9% and conceded the race that evening.[31]

Political positions

Abortion

Ciattarelli has said he supports banning abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy (except in cases where the patient's life is in danger), and did not support overturning Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court ruling which conferred the constitutional right to abortion.[32]

Donald Trump

Ciattarelli called Donald Trump a "charlatan" in 2015,[33] but in ensuing years supported Trump's 2020 reelection bid. After the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Ciattarelli headlined a "Stop the Steal" rally, an event where speakers claimed that the 2020 election had been stolen from then-President Trump. Ciattarelli said he was unaware it was a Stop the Steal rally until after the fact.[34][35] Ciattarelli endorsed Trump in the 2024 election.[36] Trump in turn endorsed him in the 2025 election.[37] Prior to this endorsement his main primary challenger, Bill Spadea, attacked him as a RINO due to his previous anti-Trump comments.[37] In 2025, Ciattarelli said he would rate Trump's performance in his second term as an "A".[29]

Immigration

On immigration, he reversed his opposition to drivers' licenses being issued to undocumented immigrants, saying he now supports access to drivers' licenses.[38]

LGBTQ issues

In 2012, Ciattarelli voted against a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. He has also voted to ban conversion therapy for minors.[39]

In 2021, he expressed opposition to New Jersey laws regarding LGBTQ education, saying, "We're not teaching sodomy in sixth grade. And we're going to roll back the LGBTQ curriculum."[40] Following criticism for his use of the term "sodomy",[39] Ciattarelli clarified he had not meant the word in regard to "someone's sexual orientation", but was referring to "mature content being taught to young children"; he added that "all schools should be promoting diversity, inclusivity, tolerance, and respect for others, but that doesn't mean pushing explicit subjects in elementary school classrooms".[40][41] In his platform, Ciattarelli stated that he wished to "reform requirements for sexual and social education to make content less dogmatic and more age-appropriate for elementary and middle school-aged children".[42]

At an October 2025 rally, an unpaid adviser to Ciattarelli's gubernatorial campaign asserted that Ciattarelli would attempt to roll back same-sex marriage in New Jersey if he were elected. After these remarks created a controversy, Ciattarelli took to social media to express his support for same-sex marriage.[43]

Personal life

Ciattarelli was married to Melinda Ciattarelli and has four adult children.[44] In June 2023, Ciattarelli announced that he and Melinda had separated earlier in the year.[45] They divorced in 2025.[46]

Ciattarelli was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2016 and revealed that he was cancer-free in March 2017.[47]

References

  1. ^ Ciattarelli, Jack (June 1, 2025). "To fix our state, we need common sense: I'm Jack Ciattarelli, running for N.J. governor". NJ.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2025. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "Assemblyman Jack M. Ciattarelli". New Jersey Legislature. Archived from the original on April 20, 2012. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d Fox, Joey (July 31, 2024). "A brief electoral history of Jack Ciattarelli". New Jersey Globe. Archived from the original on June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  4. ^ Burns, P. Kenneth (November 23, 2025). "Race to watch: What to know about Jack Ciattarelli, New Jersey's GOP gubernatorial candidate". WHYY. Archived from the original on September 23, 2025. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  5. ^ Bien-Aime, David (October 24, 2025). "Know Your Vote 2025: A Guide to Gubernatorial Candidates Mikie Sherrill and Jack Ciattarelli". The Montclarion. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Jack Ciattarelli", Montclair Local. Accessed November 8, 2025. "In 1995 he co-founded American Medical Publishing and sold it four years later. He went on to found Galen Publishing a year later. He also taught as an adjunct professor at Seton Hall for three years."
  7. ^ Tully, Tracey; and Goldstein, Joseph. "Explosive Accusation Shakes Up New Jersey Governor’s Race", The New York Times, October 13, 2025. accessed November 8, 2025. "It has also brought renewed attention to Mr. Ciattarelli’s career as a publisher in the medical field whose company, Galen Publishing, produced material for universities and other clients, often with money supplied by pharmaceutical companies."
  8. ^ a b "Jack Ciattarelli's Assembly campaign website". Retrieved January 20, 2012.
  9. ^ Burns, Kenneth P. "New Jersey election 2025: What to know about Jack Ciattarelli and the race for governor", WHYY-FM, October 29, 2025. Accessed November 8, 2025.
  10. ^ Brill, Douglas B. (November 9, 2011). "New Jersey 16th District election results: Republican sweep closer than expected". The Express-Times. Archived from the original on November 15, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
  11. ^ "Jack M. Ciattarelli was sworn in as a member of the General Assembly for the 16th Legislative District" (PDF). New Jersey Legislative Digest. December 5, 2011. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  12. ^ "Turnover in N.J. Legislature is slight". Asbury Park Press. January 10, 2012. Retrieved January 20, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  13. ^ Nieto-Munoz, Sophie (June 7, 2017). "Despite strong run, Ciattarelli falls short of Republican nomination". nj. Archived from the original on June 11, 2025. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
  14. ^ Official List Candidates for Governor For Primary Election 06/06/2017 Election Archived November 13, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of State, June 28, 2017. Accessed November 12, 2017.
  15. ^ Johnson, Brent (June 10, 2021). "Ciattarelli wins Republican nomination to challenge Murphy for N.J. governor". NJ.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  16. ^ "After Conceding, Jack Ciattarelli Says He Will Run Again for NJ Governor in 2025". WNBC. November 12, 2021. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  17. ^ "New Jersey Election Results". The New York Times. December 1, 2021. Archived from the original on November 30, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  18. ^ Sherman, Ted (November 4, 2021). "'This race is far from over,' Ciattarelli campaign says, as it seeks contributions to continue the fight". NJ.com. Archived from the original on November 5, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  19. ^ Steinberg, Alan (March 20, 2017). "Governor Jack Ciattarelli in 2021?". NJ.com. Archived from the original on August 8, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  20. ^ Vielkind, Jimmy (November 3, 2021). "Phil Murphy Wins Tight New Jersey Governor Race". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on November 3, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  21. ^ Pillets, Jeff. "Jack Ciattarelli: An Interview With NJ’s 2025 Republican Candidate for Governor", New Jersey Monthly, September 19,2025. Accessed November 8, 2025. "Lives in: Hillsborough Political position: Former state Assembly member Pre-political life: CPA and businessman"
  22. ^ "Ciattarelli concedes in New Jersey governor's race, vows to run again in 2025". Politico. November 12, 2021. Archived from the original on November 13, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  23. ^ Wildstein, David (April 9, 2024). "Jack Ciattarelli launches bid for governor, pledging to cut taxes and spending". New Jersey Globe. Archived from the original on March 19, 2025. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  24. ^ "Trump endorses Jack Ciattarelli in New Jersey governor's race". NBC News. May 13, 2025. Archived from the original on May 13, 2025. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  25. ^ Martello, Tom; Johnson, Brent (May 10, 2025). "Did Baraka arrest just win him the N.J. Democratic primary for governor?". nj. Archived from the original on May 13, 2025. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  26. ^ Meier, Alex (June 10, 2025). "NJ election results: Mikie Sherrill, Jack Ciattarelli win primary for governor". FOX 5 NY. Archived from the original on June 13, 2025. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  27. ^ "Sherrill, Ciattarelli locked in tight race for New Jersey governor as campaigns enter final weeks". www.cbsnews.com. Archived from the original on October 8, 2025. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  28. ^ Shelter, Thomas (October 7, 2025). "NJ Governor Candidates - Who is Leading the Race in New Jersey?". CONGRESS.NET. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
  29. ^ a b Corasaniti, Nick (October 29, 2025). "In Third Run for Governor, Ciattarelli Mixes MAGA Into His Agenda". New York Times. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  30. ^ Friedman, Matt (October 14, 2025). "Battle of the surrogates". Politico. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  31. ^ Nieto-Munoz, Sophie (November 5, 2025). "Jack Ciattarelli after losing governor's race: 'Our job doesn't end'". New Jersey Monitor.
  32. ^ "Abortion issues muddied in first debate". NJ Spotlight News. September 30, 2021. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  33. ^ "Central Jersey GOP lawmaker: Trump a 'charlatan' embarrassing our country". my Central Jersey. December 10, 2015. Archived from the original on January 29, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
  34. ^ "Eight Times Jack Ciattarelli Lied About Headlining a Trump "Stop the Steal" Rally". Insider NJ. September 16, 2021. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  35. ^ "NJ governor's race gets heated, with attacks on Trump, taxes". AP NEWS. September 29, 2021. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  36. ^ Wildstein, David (March 8, 2024). "Ciattarelli endorses Trump". New Jersey Globe. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  37. ^ a b Fox, Joey (May 12, 2025). "Trump endorses Ciattarelli for governor, cementing him as clear GOP frontrunner". New Jersey Globe. Archived from the original on May 25, 2025. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  38. ^ Symons, Michael (September 29, 2021). "In reversal, Ciattarelli backs licenses for undocumented in NJ". New Jersey 101.5. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  39. ^ a b Biryukov, Nikita (July 14, 2021). "Ciattarelli faces fire after promising to roll back LGBT curricula". New Jersey Globe. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  40. ^ a b Racioppi, Dustin. "Jack Ciattarelli, GOP nominee for NJ governor, knocked for LGBTQ remarks. What he said". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  41. ^ Katz, Matt (July 13, 2021). "'We're Not Teaching Sodomy In 6th Grade': GOP Nominee For N.J. Governor Wants To End LGBTQ Curriculum". Gothamist. Archived from the original on November 3, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  42. ^ Racioppi, Dustin (September 22, 2021). "What do Phil Murphy and Jack Ciattarelli want to do if elected? Neither offer much detail". The Hill. Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  43. ^ Livio, Susan (October 21, 2025). "Campaign adviser's comments on Jews, gay marriage spark new controversy in N.J. governor race". NJ.com.
  44. ^ "About Me". jack4gov.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2017. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  45. ^ Johnson, Brent (June 24, 2023). "Republican N.J. governor hopeful Ciattarelli splits with wife". NJ.com. Archived from the original on June 24, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  46. ^ Blackburn, Zach (September 19, 2025). "Ciattarelli releases tax returns". New Jersey Globe. Mayfair Media. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  47. ^ Johnson, Brent (March 1, 2017). "N.J. governor candidate Ciatarelli says he's cancer-free in attack on his foes". NJ.com. Archived from the original on November 13, 2017. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
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