Tonight is the third and final Republican gubernatorial debate in New Jersey, and now that Donald Trump is involved, it’s going to be stupider than ever.
“The only thing more pathetic than Jack Ciattarelli running for governor for a third consecutive time is Bill Spadea insisting he still has a shot in hell in this primary,” said American Bridge 21st Century spokesperson Monica Venzke. “I don’t know why Jack Ciattarelli thinks that someone else who already lost in New Jersey three times, Donald Trump, will be his ticket to victory, but I’m happy to let him be delusional about that. I’m not sure how much clearer New Jersey voters can be — they don’t want Trump, and they don’t want a knock-off in Jack Ciattarelli either.”
Here’s what you need to know about the candidates debating tonight:
Jack Ciattarelli:
- Already lost a New Jersey gubernatorial election — twice.
- Touts his Trump endorsement claiming he’s gone “all in” on MAGA.
- Supported Trump’s tariffs, calling them a “grand experiment” — but knew they’d be harmful, saying New Jerseyans need to “buckle up.”
- Wants a DOGE-style commission to crack down on New Jersey Medicaid recipients.
- Called for repealing the Affordable Care Act.
- Wanted to trim down benefits for New Jersey teachers, including a reduction in Medicare benefits.
- Wanted to enact a ban on cursing… in New Jersey.
- Said he would not support New Jersey’s Reproductive Freedom Act “in a million years.”
- Supported “putting new restrictions on abortions” in New Jersey.
- Supported then-Governor Chris Christie cutting $7.5 million in funding for women’s health care clinics.
- Had a company that was paid $12.2 million to publish content that downplayed the risks of opioid abuse using pharmaceutical industry-funded grants
- Supports school vouchers, which skyrocket property taxes and hurt public education.
- Doesn’t like Bruce Springsteen.
Bill Spadea:
- Endorsed by New Jersey Right to Life.
- Promotes mail-in ballot conspiracies… but only votes by mail.
- Promised to gut funding for Rutgers University — the largest public university in the state.
- Attacked the late Senator John McCain for not voting to overturn the ACA.
- Was accused of dirty fundraising.
- Spread 2020 election fraud conspiracy theories and defended January 6th insurrectionists.
- Celebrated the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
- Promised to defund “radical extreme” groups, specifically the state teachers’ union, Garden State Equality, and Planned Parenthood.
- Also doesn’t like Bruce Springsteen.
Published: May 20, 2025