Republican New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli announced that he has received endorsements from at least 12 Democratic mayors across the state as early voting gets underway.

During an appearance on Fox News, Ciattarelli said his campaign had just completed its second of six early-voting rallies and highlighted the growing bipartisan support behind his candidacy.

“When Democratic mayors are endorsing the Republican nominee, it tells you how badly people want change,” Ciattarelli said.

“We’ve raked up at least 12 Democratic mayors that have endorsed me.”

Republican candidate for New Jersey governor Jack Ciattarelli says he has secured at least 12 endorsements from Democratic mayors in the state:

“When Democratic mayors are endorsing the Republican nominee, it tells you how badly people want change.” pic.twitter.com/c7CSLfxk13

— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) October 25, 2025

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According to Newsweek, the Democratic mayors who have publicly backed Ciattarelli include North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco, Branchville Mayor Anthony Frato, and Garfield Mayor Everett Garnto Jr. Garnto also announced that he is leaving the Democratic Party entirely following his endorsement of Ciattarelli.

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Sacco, a longtime critic of Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, formally endorsed Ciattarelli two weeks ago, citing dissatisfaction with what he described as years of state funding cuts affecting local communities.

“North Bergen has faced significant challenges in recent years, losing critical state funding and aid despite our ongoing appeals for support,” Sacco wrote in a post on Instagram.

“Jack has been consistently responsive and pledged to stand with North Bergen and ensure that our community—and others like it across New Jersey—receive the resources and attention they deserve.”

Sacco continued, “I have full confidence in his leadership and his commitment to doing what’s right for our residents and for the future of our state. The welfare and well being of our North Bergen residents are more important than party lines.”

The endorsements mark a significant development in the closely watched gubernatorial race, which has drawn national attention as early voting begins.

Ciattarelli’s campaign has focused heavily on cost-of-living issues, state tax rates, and education funding, while his Democratic opponent, Mikie Sherrill, has emphasized maintaining state programs implemented under Governor Murphy.

In addition to the endorsements from New Jersey mayors, Ciattarelli has received support from the New Era Democrats, a Brooklyn-based political organization that describes itself as a working-class advocacy group.

“We are proud to endorse Jack Ciattarelli for Governor of New Jersey,” said the group’s president, Celia Lervasi.

“As life continues to become unaffordable for the working class and New Jersey continues to be one of the highest taxed states in the country, Jack is the right person that is needed to make life more affordable for the residents of the Garden State.”

Ciattarelli’s campaign has sought to expand its appeal beyond the Republican base, focusing on bipartisan endorsements as evidence of discontent with the state’s current leadership.

The New Jersey race has become one of the most competitive statewide contests in the country, with both parties viewing it as a potential bellwether ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

A Rutgers University–Eagleton poll released Thursday shows Sherrill holding a narrow lead, with 50 percent of likely voters supporting her compared to 45 percent for Ciattarelli.

The same survey found that nearly one in ten voters remain undecided, a margin that could play a decisive role as early voting continues through next week.

Ciattarelli, a former state assemblyman and 2021 Republican nominee, has emphasized fiscal reform and education accountability as the centerpieces of his campaign.

He has pledged to lower state property taxes, expand small-business incentives, and address concerns about classroom curriculum transparency.

Sherrill, a former U.S. Representative, has campaigned on maintaining social service funding, preserving state healthcare programs, and continuing climate initiatives launched during Murphy’s administration.

Both campaigns have increased statewide outreach in the final stretch before Election Day, with early voting expected to drive record turnout levels.

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