Before a packed room of supporters at the American Hotel in Freehold, former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli made official what was long anticipated – the Republican officially entered the 2025 gubernatorial race.

Ciattarelli, 62, fell just short in the 2021 election, losing to Gov. Phil Murphy by just 3 points. Since conceding that race, he has vowed to run again. He’s also been making the rounds throughout the state ever since — appearing at everything from local Republican chapter meetings and events to visiting businesses and writing columns to appearing alongside gubernatorial candidates on a panel at the recent New Jersey Chamber of Commerce’s ReNew Jersey Business Summit.

“How the hell did we nearly knock off an incumbent governor in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans by 1 million?” Ciattarelli asked during his speech on Tuesday evening. “In all 21 counties and 564 towns, we almost pulled it off because of people like you. People who so desperately wanted change, and believed I could deliver it.”

He stressed that it is time for bold, competent, serious leadership that is determined to fix the state.

“It’s time for a Jersey guy who understands what people are up against every day,” said Ciattarelli. “It’s time for a commonsense problem-solver … a Chief Executive Officer … 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!”

Among some of the campaign initiatives laid out in the speech included:

• Appointing an attorney general who supports both police and parents
• Capping property taxes at 1% of the assessed value of a resident’s home
• Overhauling public school curriculum – with a focus on respecting the role of parents, ensuring age-appropriate lessons, focusing on basic skills, and providing more vocational training
• Adopting a new school funding formula, which he says will treat suburban taxpayers fairly while promoting educational savings accounts, vouchers and school choice
• Fighting for a constitutional amendment on term limits for state legislators of no more than eight years in any office — a term-limit he voluntarily placed on himself during his legislative career representing the 16th District

“For us to make these changes, we need to win the governorship and grow our numbers in the state Legislature in 2025,” said Ciattarelli, who also previously ran in 2017. At that time, falling in the Republican Primary to Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, who would go on to lose in the general election to Murphy.

“What we need is a Republican candidate who can win,” Ciattarelli said. “One who brings a very special positive energy to the campaign. And one who benefits all Republican candidates down ballot. A candidate who understands that campaigns are won by addition, not subtraction or division.”

He added that after 25 years of one-party rule, Republicans also need a candidate – like himself – who is willing to hold the Democratic nominee accountable “for the mess we’re in.”

In the field

Ciattarelli enters a race that already features 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 are in the mix. Others are expected/rumored to join the field as well.

Winding down his speech, Ciattarelli noted that he has consistently won races where Democrats outnumbered Republicans because he is willing to go to places that most Republican don’t – or won’t. He also stressed that he does not view the governorship as a launching pad for other interests or jobs – that he does not want to be a congressman, a senator, a president – or an author.

“New Jersey is my final destination. It’s home. Always has been. Always will be,” said Ciattarelli. “My sole focus in becoming your governor is fixing the state we all love. My sole objective is getting big government out of the way. Out of the way of taxpayers. Out of the way of businesses. Out of the way of law enforcement. And out of the way of parents.”

“Friends, it’s time,” Ciattarelli closed. “Let’s get to work. Let’s win this race!”