The New Jersey Democratic State Committee kicked off its statewide “Jack’s Not for Jersey” press tour today outside the former Trump Plaza Residences at 88 Morgan Street in Jersey City.
With the Trump name long since removed from the luxury high-rise, Democrats suggested the location was a symbolic starting point for what they called a critical campaign to expose Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli’s alignment with former President Donald Trump’s policies.
The state party’s latest effort aims to draw sharp contrasts between Democratic priorities and what they argue is Ciattarelli’s track record of supporting Trump-era economic and social policies — ones they claim have hurt working families, public schools, and New Jersey’s affordability.
“Jack recently said in an interview, ‘I support the president wholeheartedly, and my job is to help him,’” said Rep. Robert J. Menendez (D-Jersey City). “I believe that the next governor of New Jersey’s ‘job’ is not to help President Trump, it’s to help every single resident of New Jersey… The president that time and time again puts billionaires over the hardworking men and women who power our state every single day: That is who Jack Ciattarelli is about.”
Republicans blasted Sherrill for using Menendez, the son of disgraced former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, as an advocate.
“While working-class New Jerseyans are getting crushed by rising property taxes and out-of-control electricity bills, Mikie Sherrill is trotting out a Menendez to lie about Jack Ciattarelli?? Great strategy, Mikie,” said Kate Gibbs, the executive director of the New Jersey Republican State Committee.
Gibbs claims that as New Jerseyans become more familiar with Sherrill, the better Ciattarelli’s chances are.
“The fact is the more New Jerseyans learn about Mikie Sherrill breaking federal law and getting rich off trading stocks in Congress; her embrace of an antisemitic, defund the police socialist for mayor of New York City; and her vote to protect criminal illegal immigrants by voting against the Laken Riley Act, the more they’re going to realize she has no business being governor of New Jersey,” Gibbs explained.
Democrats also unveiled a new microsite, Jack’s Not for Jersey.
Martinique Costa, President of Laborers Local 55 in Newark, underscored the financial toll she believes Ciattarelli’s support for Trump’s policies continues to have on working families.
“What we’re seeing is an affordability crisis,” Costa said. “Trump’s tariffs, which Jack Ciattarelli backs, are costing New Jersey families an average of $2,400 a year. Now while we’re seeing this play out: Everyone knows that a trip to the grocery store now is not what it was when we get to check out a year ago. Costs are increasing for everything,” said Costa. “We need to elect someone who will stand up for labor and invest in working families – I’m proud to be supporting Mikie Sherrill for governor.”
The press tour, which make stops across the state over the coming weeks featuring voices from a range of communities – educators, healthcare providers, union members, small business owners, and parents – all spotlighting how they say Ciattarelli’s record and Trump-aligned agenda would impact their lives.
Among them is Lissa Santiago, a 30-year Jersey City public school teacher. Santiago criticized Ciattarelli’s education stance, especially in light of Trump’s efforts to reduce federal oversight and funding in public schools.
“New Jersey residents need a governor dedicated to investing in public schools, ensuring that every child has access to a quality education that prepares them for a successful future,” Santiago stated. “However, as Trump stated, Jack Ciattarelli is ‘100% MAGA,’ which includes his stance on education. Jack has supported Trump’s push to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education… if that federal funding were to be cut, local school districts in this state will need to raise taxes by a billion to cover those costs.”
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