Three Republican contenders for New Jersey governor—State Sen. Jon Bramnick, former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, and former radio host Bill Spadea—squared off in the first of two state-sanctioned debates, battling over the influence of Donald Trump, partisan control of the state Supreme Court, and who can actually win in November.
Though the tone was less explosive than the fiery face-off in February, tensions still simmered on stage. The candidates traded jabs—especially over Trump’s endorsement, a prize both Ciattarelli and Spadea have aggressively sought.
Spadea, who has leaned into a hard-right, populist persona, framed Trump-style immigration enforcement as a solution to New Jersey’s housing and economic woes. “The pendulum swung too far,” he said of bail reform, adding that even if strict enforcement policies occasionally affect individuals unfairly, the broader crackdown is necessary. “That’s too bad,” he said of low-income defendants caught in the system, “because we now have to bring it back.”
Ciattarelli, the frontrunner in most polls, stuck to familiar territory, promising to cut taxes and overhaul the state’s school funding formula. But on judicial appointments, he broke with precedent—saying he would abandon New Jersey’s long-standing practice of maintaining a partisan balance on the state Supreme Court. “The court needs conservatives,” he said flatly.
That prompted a sharp rebuke from Bramnick, a moderate who argued that ending the 4-3 split could backfire long-term. “This has always been about stability,” he said, warning that the GOP might win in the short term but lose judicial influence down the road. Spadea, usually unfiltered, gave a rare “I don’t know,” admitting uncertainty but noting that some Democratic judges were just as conservative as their GOP counterparts.
Bramnick insisted he’s the only Republican with a real shot in the general election, presenting himself as a Trump-skeptical moderate who can appeal to swing voters. “People are dying to elect a Republican in this state,” he said. “But they’re going to hesitate if they think that candidate doesn’t represent traditional Republican values.”
Spadea wasn’t buying it. While praising Bramnick’s candor, he lashed out at Ciattarelli, calling him “a liar and a fraud” and accusing him of rejecting Trump’s support in 2021. Asked if he’d back Ciattarelli in a general election, Spadea fired back, “That is a question for Jack Ciattarelli.”
More than 26,000 Republican voters have already cast ballots by mail, a number expected to grow before the June 10 primary. A second—and potentially more combustible—debate is scheduled for May 20, hosted by the New Jersey Globe.
Two other candidates, former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac and Burlington County contractor Justin Barbera, will appear on the ballot but did not qualify for the debate due to fundraising thresholds.