In a showdown just weeks before the June 10 primary, the three leading Republican candidates for New Jersey governor clashed on taxes, crime, education, and loyalty to President Donald Trump in their final televised debate Tuesday night.
Frontrunner Jack Ciattarelli, buoyed by Trump’s recent endorsement, worked to project confidence and electability, while opponents Bill Spadea and Sen. Jon Bramnick took sharp – and at times humorous – swings in a bid to shake up the race.
“This party needs unity, energy, and someone who can win in November. That’s why President Trump endorsed me,” Ciattarelli said in his opening remarks, ignoring barbs from his right.
Spadea, a conservative radio host and longtime Trump ally, questioned whether the president was really endorsing Ciattarelli as a candidate.
“The president endorsed a poll, not a plan,” he shot back, accusing Ciattarelli of buying political favor. “He endorsed what was handed to him, not what this party needs.”
Bramnick, the moderate comic-turned-legislator, brought levity to the otherwise serious discussion. “I waited up late at night—no call from Donald Trump,” he joked. “I must’ve been on the wrong list.”
But the two-and-a-half-hour event, held at Newark’s Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology, wasn’t short on tension. Spadea repeatedly jabbed at Ciattarelli’s conservative credentials while defending his own right-flank bonafides, and all three candidates threw elbows over state spending, law enforcement, and school choice.
Each pledged to restore the death penalty in New Jersey, repealed in 2007, and voiced support for U.S. Attorney Alina Habba’s aggressive prosecution of Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-Newark), who was charged with assaulting law enforcement during a recent clash over Mayor Ras Baraka’s arrest at an ICE detention center in Newark.
“I hope she serves whatever sentence is appropriate,” Spadea said bluntly, while Ciattarelli and Bramnick gave measured support to the prosecution.
About 30 minutes in, a protester disrupted the debate, shouting about Gaza, climate change, and SNAP benefits before being hauled out in handcuffs. “I’m used to hecklers in comedy clubs,” Bramnick quipped. “She must’ve learned to whisper in a helicopter.”
Outside the ring, tensions flared as fringe candidate Justin Barbera — who failed to qualify for the debate — attempted to crash post-debate media gaggles. Security escorted him from the premises.
On education, Ciattarelli took a hardline stance on reshaping state education leadership, vowing to call for the resignation of the entire state Board of Education. All three supported expanded parental involvement, school choice, and even allowing teachers to transfer their tenure between districts.
The trio also took turns attacking the 2017 bail reform law, saying it had weakened public safety, and pitched aggressive budget-slashing ideas. Spadea suggested a $12 billion cut to the state budget, including slashing Rutgers University’s funding by $1 billion. Bramnick pledged a “no pork” policy, saying he’d shut the government down if necessary to stop excessive spending.
Ciattarelli, largely playing defense, declined to offer specific budget cuts but leaned heavily on his electability, fundraising power, and Trump’s endorsement.
Tuesday night marked the final debate before the June 10 primary, where voters will decide which of the three Republicans will take on Democrats in the fight to replace outgoing Governor Phil Murphy.
With mail-in ballots already in voters’ hands, the debate may have been the last, best chance for Ciattarelli’s rivals to shake up the race. Whether it worked remains to be seen – but is highly unlikely.
A full replay of the debate can be watched below. The debate itself begins just before the two-hour mark on the video.