Earlier this month, former Assemblyman and Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli made official what was long anticipated here in the Garden State – that he would enter the race for governor once again in 2025.

Since that narrow, 2021 defeat to Gov. Phil Murphy, Ciattarelli affirmed that intention, keeping up a robust schedule of speeches, appearances and more. He joins a race that includes Sen. Jon Bramnick, R-21st District, on the Republican side. On the Democratic side: Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and former Senate President Steve Sweeney have officially launched campaigns.

Others are expected or rumored to join the field, as well.

“Guys, it’s time. It’s time for bold, competent, serious leadership. Leadership determined to fix our state. It’s time for a Jersey guy who understands what people are up against every day,” said Ciattarelli during his April 9 campaign launch before a packed house at the American Hotel in Freehold. “It’s time for a commonsense problem solver – a CEO, a hands-on CEO who knows exactly what needs to be done and is willing to do it. I think I know a guy.”

“Friends, I very humbly, but with unwavering determination and boundless energy, declare my candidacy to be YOUR next Governor.”

Following the official launch, Ciattarelli’s robust pace has continued, adding a New Jersey diner tour.

“And so it begins. No better way to get to know New Jersey and its people than the Diner Tour,” Ciattarelli wrote in an April 10 social media post. “Today it was in Somerset County, at Bridgewater’s Time to Eat Diner. One down, 599 diners to go. Can’t wait!”

NJBIZ recently caught up with Ciattarelli from the trail for a wide-ranging discussion on several topics.

The following conversation is edited for length and clarity. This is part one. Click on the box below for the rest of the conversation.

NJBIZ: At the top, you made big news entering the 2025 race. Can you talk a little bit about the rollout and how it’s been so far? How are things going on the campaign trail?

Ciattarelli: Well, I’m excited to make it officially official. We had over 700 people there. The atmosphere was electric. My announcement speech was well-received. And we’ve been out shaking hands with New Jerseyans all across the state every day since. I’m excited.

Unfortunately, the problems we talked about four years ago continue to persist. And so, we’ll continue to offer our solutions on how to make New Jersey a better place to do business – particularly on Main Street. How to address the property tax crisis; how to make New Jersey a better place to retire – because right now that’s nearly impossible – and how to improve our public education system. Those are the key issues.

Heard on the street

NJBIZ: You said you made it “officially official,” but you have been out there in all parts of the state. What are you hearing from residents?

Ciattarelli: I enjoy getting up and down the state each and every day – and interacting with New Jerseyans. That’s what the Diner Tour is all about. So, whether it’s North, Central or South Jersey. Whether it’s city or suburb; or whether it’s Black, brown, white people – or any and all others. I love interacting with them and finding out what’s bothering them.

But the constant themes are property taxes; again, doing business on Main Street; making New Jersey a better place to retire; safe communities – and I emphasize the need for us to support local law enforcement. And for those who have children in the K-12 system, they’re very, very concerned that we have gotten off-track. We’ve got way too many kids that are graduating that are not on grade level for reading, writing and math – and don’t have the basic skills necessary to be successful if they’re not going to college.

CTF

NJBIZ: The corporate transit fee is a top issue at the moment, coming right after the sunset of the corporate business tax surcharge. What are your thoughts on this issue and how it is playing out?

Ciattarelli: Under my governorship, we are not going to make New Jersey a worse place to do business. It’s already pretty bad. We need a governor that’s pro-business. And this corporate transit fee is not the answer.

I keep hearing that we need a dedicated revenue stream [for NJ Transit]. We have one. It’s called the New Jersey state budget. Phil Murphy’s increased the funding for the state pension system from $3 billion to $7 billion. He did that without a dedicated revenue stream. Because that’s what he set as a priority. So, we just need a governor that’s going to set the right kind of priorities. I don’t think a $58 million state subsidy for a French Art Museum in Jersey City is the right kind of priority. So we can take care of New Jersey Transit and a whole bunch of other things with the right kind of priorities in our state budget.

Out conversation with candidate Jack Ciattarelli will continue at NJBIZ.com throughout the week of April 29, 2024.