Tonight is the second Republican gubernatorial debate in New Jersey, and here are our predictions: it’s going to be messy, it’s going to be embarrassing, and everyone is going to continue to publicly beg for that sweet, sweet Trump endorsement.
“The best part of my job is watching grown men like Jack Ciattarelli and Bill Spadea dance around and beg for Trump’s attention, even though he refuses to give either of them the time of day,” said American Bridge 21st Century spokesperson Monica Venzke. “They can tout their pro-Trump trade war, NJ DOGE, and anti-affordable health care agendas all night, but it still won’t impress him. Tonight’s debate will serve as another chance for them to make fools out of themselves, lie about their records, and get their microphones cut off for talking over the moderators.”
Here’s what you need to know about the candidates debating tonight:
Jack Ciattarelli:
- Already lost a New Jersey gubernatorial election — twice.
- 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.
Bill Spadea:
- Endorsed by New Jersey Right to Life.
- 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.
- Doesn’t like Bruce Springsteen.
Jon Bramnick:
Published: May 7, 2025 | Last Modified: May 12, 2025