Top Republican Distances Himself From Trump
Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli is shaking up New Jersey politics. In a recent Spanish-language town hall, he told two young Mexican immigrants that law-abiding individuals would not face deportation, striking a compassionate but firm tone that reflects President Donald Trump’s America-First leadership.
Days later, Ciattarelli fired up conservatives at a “Make America Great Again”-style rally, where patriotic energy filled the room. Conservative commentator Jack Posobiec joked about building a New Jersey version of Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” to house repeat offenders, drawing laughter and applause.
Trump Ally, Businessman, and Fighter for Common Sense Immigration Reform
Ciattarelli — a successful businessman and lifelong New Jerseyan — proudly gave President Trump an “A” for his performance in the White House. Yet he’s also building bridges to Hispanic families who share conservative values: faith, hard work, and lawfulness.
Rather than blanket amnesty, Ciattarelli supports what he calls a “Pathway to Recognition” — allowing immigrants who contribute to society and have clean records to come forward legally, obtain identification, and participate in the economy.
“Nobody should live in the shadows,” Ciattarelli told Univision. “But we must protect American law, order, and jobs first.”
Trump’s Rising Latino Support in New Jersey
Ciattarelli’s strategy mirrors Trump’s stunning gains among Hispanic voters nationwide. In 2024, President Trump won 43% of Latino support, nearly doubling his numbers from 2020.
In New Jersey, Trump flipped two Hispanic-majority towns that had overwhelmingly voted Democrat just eight years earlier — a sign of shifting loyalties as working-class families reject open-border policies, runaway inflation, and Democrat overreach.
Polls show Latino voters now rank the economy and public safety as top issues, two pillars of Trump’s and Ciattarelli’s shared agenda.
Democrats in Denial as Voters Turn Right
Democrat Mikie Sherrill, Ciattarelli’s opponent, has tried to paint him as a Trump follower. But many voters see her attacks as proof she’s out of touch with middle-class families struggling under Biden-era inflation and Harris-era chaos.
Former state senator Ed Durr defended Ciattarelli’s immigration stance, saying, “Jack’s plan respects the law and American taxpayers — unlike Democrats who keep protecting sanctuary cities and illegal behavior.”
Another GOP voice, Mario Kranjac, slammed Sherrill and New Jersey’s Democrat elite:
“Mikie, Cory Booker, Andy Kim — they all defend sanctuary policies that drive up crime and costs. Jack stands with legal residents and police.”
Standing for Law, Order, and Fairness
Ciattarelli has vowed to repeal New Jersey’s Immigrant Trust Directive, which ties the hands of police by blocking cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. He’s also opposed birthright citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants, saying America’s laws must be respected.
At the same time, he emphasizes compassion for those who follow the rules: “If you live here, work hard, and obey our laws — we’ll find a fair, legal way for you to be recognized.”
A Clear Choice for New Jersey
In a state that has swung between parties for decades, Jack Ciattarelli offers the bold leadership and common sense New Jersey needs — tough on crime, strong on the border, and ready to rebuild the economy that Democrats wrecked.
Mikie Sherrill represents the same failed policies that brought inflation, weak borders, and soft-on-crime chaos. Ciattarelli represents accountability, opportunity, and respect for every law-abiding New Jerseyan — no matter where they come from.
