Noticias

Nearly 7,000 New Jerseyans joined the voter rolls in August, according to updated state data. 

Most new registered voters, 8,121, registered as unaffiliated voters and not with a specific political party. Republicans added 985 voters last month, while Democrats lost 2,044.

The pattern is similar to July, when Republicans continued their small but consistent gains on Democrats while unaffiliated voters dominated the new field of voters. Democrats still hold a sizeable lead over Republicans in terms of registrants with 2,529,708, more than the GOP’s 1,667,912. 

Similar dynamics exist in competitive legislative districts. In the 8th legislative district, where Assembly seats are currently split between a Democrat and a Republican, Democrats gained just two new registrants, while Republicans added 104. Nearly 250 unaffiliated voters registered in the district.

In the competitive 7th congressional district, where Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield) seeks to defend his seat next year, it was a bit more even. Democrats added 151 voters, and Republicans added 160. 850 new unaffiliated voters signed up in the 7th congressional district.

A total of 6,598,586 New Jerseyans are now registered to vote.

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A super PAC backed by the Democratic Governors Association launched its first ad of the general election cycle, accusing Republican gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli of wanting to be the “Trump of Trenton.”

The ad, which comes in 30-second and 15-second versions, draws on the DGA’s $20 million in TV ad reservations that the group has prepared to back Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) for governor. The spot is also running on digital.

Greater Garden State, the DGA-backed super PAC, does not necessarily have to use the $20 million in ad reservations, but the group has nonetheless locked up the time in a fall that will be busy between the New Jersey governor’s race and the New York City mayoral race. 

The spot unsurprisingly attacks Ciattarelli’s recent embrace of President Donald Trump. Ciattarelli sought the president’s support during the GOP primary, and it paid off with an endorsement from the country’s most influential Republican. 

The ad includes a short audio clip of a June rally in Bergen County, during which Ciattarelli discusses a 10% sales tax. A research document published on Sherrill’s website includes the full transcript of those remarks, which came after an attendee asked if he would consider eliminating the state income tax and recouping those funds with an increase in the sales tax. In discussing Tennessee’s sales tax, which reaches close to 10% in some areas, Ciattarelli said he would look at “every option” but did not commit to an increase in sales tax.

“I just came back from Tennessee not too long ago. We were on a fundraising trip there, and Tennessee has no income tax. What Tennessee has is a 10% sales tax on everything, including food and clothing,” Ciattarelli said, according to the transcript. “The philosophy has always been in this state [that] we have like a 7% sales tax just to round off the numbers, but there’s no sales tax on necessities of life, food, and clothing. I will work with the New Jersey State Society, CPAs. We’re going to look at what other states do. And every option is on the table.” 

Ciattarelli’s campaign launched its first ad of the general election cycle on Tuesday. 

Script: (Narrator) “100% MAGA. That’s what Donald Trump calls Jack Ciattarelli. Because Ciattarelli wants to be the Trump of Trenton.” (Ciattarelli in interview) “I support the president wholeheartedly, and my job is to support him.” (Narrator)  “Ciattarelli supported Trump’s Medicaid cuts, targeting 300,000 in Jersey. And now, he’s talking about a 10% sales tax.” (Ciattarelli in interview) “A 10% sales tax on everything, including food and clothing.” (Narrator)  “Jack Ciattarelli. 100% MAGA, 100% wrong for New Jersey.”

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In “Bold Leadership,” Sherrill is flying a helicopter, discussing the leadership lessons she learned while serving in the U.S. Navy, and promising to use the power of the governorship to lower utility bills on her first day in office.

A shorter ad, “Make One,” touts another lesson learned in the Navy: no excuses and finding a way to solve a problem.

The ads are described as components of a multi-million dollar statewide network, cable and digital campaign.

Script: “(Mikie Sherrill) The Navy taught me in a crisis; you either find a way — or make one.  (Narrator) For governor, Navy helicopter pilot Mikie Sherrill. As a 20% utility rate hike crushes New Jersey families. (Sherrill) Day one as governor, I’m declaring a State of Emergency on Utility Costs. Using emergency powers to end these rate hikes and drive down your bills.  (Narrator) Mikie Sherrill knows a cost crisis demands bold leadership. (Sherrill) I’ll stand up to anyone, and everyone, for New Jersey families.”

“When it comes to delivering for New Jersey families, Mikie won’t take ‘no’ for an answer,” said Alex Ball, Sherrill’s campaign manager.  “She is the only candidate in this race with a real plan to drive down costs for New Jersey families, starting with declaring a State of Emergency on Utility Costs on Day One to end the utility rate hikes.”

Sherrill’s second ad is fifteen seconds.

Script: (Mikie Sherrill) “Up here, there are no excuses. The Navy doesn’t accept that things are ‘impossible.’ You either find a way or make one. This is the kind of leadership New Jersey can expect from me as governor. (Narrator) For governor, Mikie Sherrill. 

The Republican nominee, Jack Ciattarelli, launched his first TV ad, a statewide buy of nearly $1.8 million, on Tuesday.

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