During Donald Trump’s initial run for the presidency, Jack Ciattarelli, then a Republican state assemblyman considering a gubernatorial bid, sharply criticized Trump, labeling him a "charlatan" who clashed with American principles.
In a 2015 statement, Ciattarelli condemned Trump’s conduct, stating that remaining silent while Trump embarrassed the nation was unacceptable and declaring him unfit for the presidency.
A decade later, Ciattarelli, now the leading candidate in the June 10 Republican primary for New Jersey governor, has shifted his stance, expressing support for Trump and securing the president’s sought-after endorsement last month.
Similar to numerous Republican figures nationwide, including Vice President JD Vance, Ciattarelli has softened previous criticisms of Trump as the former president’s popularity surged.
This strategic repositioning to appeal to the GOP’s conservative base reflects broader political realities in a deeply polarized era rather than signaling a major ideological shift within New Jersey’s Republican Party, which operates in a predominantly liberal state with many affluent suburban voters.
According to retired political strategist Peter J. McDonough Jr., this phenomenon mirrors the sentiments of many voters who feel frustrated and dissatisfied, regardless of whether they support progressive or conservative leaders.
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