The basics:

• Ciattarelli selects Morris Sheriff Jim Gannon for lieutenant governor slot
• Gannon praised for opioid programs, bipartisan appeal
• Signals GOP focus on public safety and Morris County

At a packed house at Johnnie’s Tavern in Boonton Wednesday, Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli announced his lieutenant governor pick: Morris County Sheriff Jim Gannon.

“New Jersey is in need of proven leadership and people who know how to work across party lines to get things done – and that’s what Sheriff Gannon has done his entire career in public service,” said Ciattarelli.

Gannon boasts an extensive law enforcement and public service career. He began as a patrolman in his hometown of Boonton before moving to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, then the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Morris County sheriff position. Gannon has also served with the Boonton Township Fire Service and Boonton Kiwanis Ambulance Squad.

In his role as sheriff, Gannon launched the HOPE ONE initiative. The program is credited with saving lives and helping people struggling with addiction. Additionally, he’s noted for bringing together key stakeholders in the Responsible School Violence Prevention Program (RSVP) program in Morris County.

The wrong direction

“Jim is a decorated law enforcement officer, a problem solver, and someone who I know can work with me to fix our state,” said Ciattarelli of his running mate.

Gannon said that New Jersey is headed in the wrong direction on nearly every front. He pointed to high taxes, school learning loss, overdevelopment of suburbs, lack of investment in cities as well as concerns about public safety. Gannon said that the Garden State is in desperate need of “bold, commonsense change.”

“Exactly the kind Jack Ciattarelli can and will deliver as our next governor,” said Gannon. “Phil Murphy, Mikie Sherrill, and Trenton Democrats created this mess. Why would we ever trust them to clean it up? We need change, not more of the same.”

This morning, in front of a packed house at Johnnies Tavern in Boonton, we made it official. I am proud to announce Morris County Sheriff Jim Gannon as my running mate and New Jersey’s next Lieutenant Governor!

With decades of service in law enforcement and public safety,… pic.twitter.com/SnrmtoYyh0

— Jack Ciattarelli (@Jack4NJ) July 23, 2025

Senate Republican Leader Anthony Bucco, R-25th District, who hails from and represents Morris County, also spoke at the event. He applauded the choice of his childhood pal Gannon.

“I’m thrilled with the choice of Sheriff Jimmy Gannon as Jack Ciattarelli’s running mate,” said Bucco. “His decades of service in law enforcement and impressive background are a perfect complement to the commonsense business leadership of our next governor, Jack Ciattarelli. Gannon will be a powerful advocate for public safety across New Jersey.

“Sheriff Gannon is not a typical politician and has won broad support across the aisle in Morris County. … His results-driven approach and unwavering commitment to protecting our families have earned him the trust and respect of residents throughout Morris County.”

Playing defense

Speaking of Morris County, the 11th Congressional District represented by Democratic candidate and U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill is centered there, adding another interesting twist to Gannon’s selection.

Sherrill’s campaign manager, Alex Ball, released a statement following the announcement.

“Jack Ciattarelli has shown us the kind of governor he’d be: weak, defensive, and entirely beholden to Donald Trump. Truth is, Jack basically functions as Trump’s New Jersey running mate – so Jack’s choice for Lieutenant Governor will simply fall in line,” said Ball. “Trailing badly in the polls, Ciattarelli is clearly playing defense in Morris County, a traditional GOP stronghold where Mikie has consistently won and overperformed, as New Jersey voters gear up to reject him a third time around.”

Sherrill has not yet announced her pick. She has until the July 28 deadline to do so.

You can watch the video of the announcement here, provided by On New Jersey: