April 28, 2025 • 8 mins
Jack Ciattarelli joins Mendte in the Morning to talk about his run for Governor and how he thinks he will perform considering how Donald Trump performed in New Jersey in November.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, let me run you through some of the Rutgers
poll on the gubernatorial race. It's fascinating on the Democrat
side because for a while it looked like Mikey Cheryl
was gonna wine possibly run away with it, but things
have tightened up substantially. Mikey Cheryl has seventeen percent for
the Democrats. Steve Fullop, that's Congressman Mikey Cheryl, Steve Fullop,
(00:23):
the mayor of Jersey City twelve percent, Sean Spiller ten percent,
Josh Gotdheimer nine percent, Rosparaka Congressman Josh Gotttheimer and the
mayor of Newark Rosparaka at nine percent. Steve Sweeney as well,
way down at seven percent, but many of them are
within the margin of error, so this could be anybody's race. Now,
(00:46):
let's get to the Republican side, because it's a little
bit different on that side. Jack Chittarelli, who ran for
governor four years ago, has forty two percent of register
Republican voters. Bill Spadia, the talk show host that's running
against him, only twelve percent, and John Bramnick four percent,
(01:10):
So it seems like he is running away with this.
And on the phone right now is Jack Chittarelli. That
had to be a nice surprise when you woke up
this morning.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Good morning, Larry. We've been working really hard and I
think their polls show the result of all that hard work.
But listen, it's six weeks from tomorrow. We're not taking
anything for granted. We'll finish strong here and deliver a
win in the primary and then on to victory in November.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Yeah, you coming so close last time. As a matter
of fact, a lot of people thought you were going
to win because at the end of the election day
you were ahead and then votes came in and you
ended up losing, but by only a small margin. You
were closer than any Republicans come since, well since Christy,
(01:55):
and so I think that a lot of people remember that.
And do you think many people you have buyer's remorse?
Speaker 2 (02:02):
I hear that all the time, Larry, that people didn't
come out last time because they didn't think that had
a shot in hell And they said, Jack, I thought
you were just giving me the company line. They now
understand that we can win. These are races, and listen,
this time around, I'm not continuing with a pandemic or
a shelter in place order I'm not running against an incumbent.
You've already mentioned how contested the other side of the
aisle is, and I don't think they're in a kiss
(02:22):
and makeup when it's over. But to your other point,
there's just a whole lot less indifference the closeness of
my race. Donald Trump's performs this last election day in
New Jersey, although he didn't win much closer than expected,
he improved by eleven points from twenty twenty. All those
things point to an opportunity for a win here, and
that's exactly what I plan on delivering.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
I'm glad you brought up Donald Trump because you've seen
the recent poll numbers. You know, the general election for
you is a little some months off, but still still.
I would imagine you're hoping Donald Trump performs much better
in the polls because that will affect your race, will
it not.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
He's doing exactly what he said he was going to do,
and it's not easy to hit the reset button. There's
gonna be unpopular decisions. I expect the same thing when
I'm governor. But I did thank him when I met
with him about a month ago for the two promises made,
promises kept. He put a temporary halt on the wind
farms off the Jersey shore. We don't want that in Jersey.
And he also is beaten up on New York Democrats
or over that congestion pricing plan. So I thank them
(03:22):
for those two things. Those things are important to New Jerseys.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
Let's talk about congestion pricing for a moment, because that's
extremely important to New Jersey communitys coming into New York,
Governor hokel told New Jersey basically to mind your own business.
There is a lawsuit in the works right now. How
involved have you been with that and what would you
do as governor to help with the fight against congestion pricing.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
I've been very clear, Larry, if the New York goes
ahead with this congestion pricing plan, was your money grab
put on the backs of New Jerseys who spur the
New York economy every single day. I'm going to put
in my own congestion pricing plan. Any New York plate
that comes under the tunnels, through thes or over the
bridge in the morning, we'll hit them with a congestion
pricing fee and we'll fund New Jersey transit. Let's see
how New York likes that.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
Yeah, we haven't heard too much about the wind turbines
off the coast, and I know Donald Trump has put
an end to funding for that. Are they dead? And
what happens to the turbines or at least some of
the construction underneath on the bottom of the seafloor. Does
that just stay there forever?
Speaker 2 (04:24):
What you do here? A lot about Larry is month.
The electric bills are skyrocketing, and just wait until everybody
puts their air conditioners on. It's because Phil Murphy's energy
policies have failed. He placed everything he bet the house
on wind, and the whole thing is crashed and burned.
We need to get up our electricity production from natural
gas and nuclear. I'll do those two things. But yes,
it's over and done with. It really is. Even the
(04:46):
last remaining wind farm off of Long Island seems to
now be over and done with as well.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
It was such a bad idea from the beginning, such
a bad idea.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
It's bad economics, it's bad energy policy, it's bad environmental policy.
It was all about Phil Murvy burnishing his green credentials
to make New Jersey, the California the East coast for
him to run for President. He has really failed across
the board, Larry, with energy, with education, with the economy,
with law enforcement and public safety. The entire eight year
(05:15):
term has been an abysmal failure.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
You come into office with mass deportations going on right
now for criminals and trying to find children that are missing.
Somehow they lost track of them. The Homeland Security under
Biden lost track of them. How will that affect your
race and what will your policy be in helping Donald
Trump with this specifically on sanctuary cities.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Let's say, as I go up and down the state
days a week, Larry, I'll tell you New Jerseys want
New Jersey to be safe, and they know that that
starts on day one of my administration by ending sanctuary cities.
We're not going to be a sanctuary state. I'm never
going to tell a mayor or police chief they can't
work in partnership with ICE to keep their community safe.
I support the President's deportation plan, and let's make the
(06:02):
country in New Jersey safe again, but we're not going
to encourage illegal immigration with sanctuary cities and sanctuary states
in New Jersey. We're just not.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Would it be the policy of your administration for the
state police to work hand in hand with ICE on deportations.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
We were the whistleblower on that letter the Attorney General
sent to the colonel, and the colonel had to send
it out to the two thousand state police men and
women that they're not the work in partnership with ICE,
that they're going to continue to follow their sanctuary city,
sanctuary state policies here in New Jersey. So it's not
the fault of the state police. Their hands are tied.
They report the Attorney General, but he's gone. On day
one of a Cheddarelly administration.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
Two judges have been arrested for harboring illegals. Governor Murphy
bragged about harboring and protecting an illegal in this country.
How did he skate on that?
Speaker 2 (06:51):
My goodness, Larry, I mean, how irresponsible can you be?
And then worse yet, he tempted, He tempted Ice to
come on the property to get the illegal. He's under
twenty four hour protection by the state police. What was
he trying to do? Invite the confrontation. It was an
irresponsible comment. He's backpedaled on it since it's a terrible
embarrassment for New Jersey. Every governor Republican or Democrat, I
(07:13):
believe as an obligation to work in partnership with the
President to make America safe again. That means a secure
border and no sanctuary cities and no sanctuary states.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
I know a lot of people running for an executive
branch like you are to be governor of New Jersey,
talk about executive orders they'll sign on day one, or
with policies that they're going to push on day one.
What's day one for you?
Speaker 2 (07:34):
Day one is no sanctuary cities, no sanctuary state. Executive
Order number two. As we bring our state workers back
to work, you can't get anybody on the phone or
get an issue resolved. Phil Murvey's got our state workers
working from home post pandemic. But you know what, Larry,
I'm not going to need executive orders, and I'll tell
you why. I'm going to produce a Republican majority. I
flipped eight seats back in twenty twenty one with some
wind in my face. I've got wind in my back
(07:56):
now I can flip thirteen seats. And I flipped thirteen seats.
Get that's something we haven't had in three decades in
New Jersey. Republican majority in the state legislature that makes
it easier to achieve my agenda.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
That'd be great. Jack Chittarelli, Republican candidate for governor way
ahead according to the Rutgers Poll. Thanks so much, Jack,
Thanks for spending time.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
Thank you, Larry,
Well, let me run you through some of the Rutgers
poll on the gubernatorial race. It's fascinating on the Democrat
side because for a while it looked like Mikey Cheryl
was gonna wine possibly run away with it, but things
have tightened up substantially. Mikey Cheryl has seventeen percent for
the Democrats. Steve Fullop, that's Congressman Mikey Cheryl, Steve Fullop,
(00:23):
the mayor of Jersey City twelve percent, Sean Spiller ten percent,
Josh Gotdheimer nine percent, Rosparaka Congressman Josh Gotttheimer and the
mayor of Newark Rosparaka at nine percent. Steve Sweeney as well,
way down at seven percent, but many of them are
within the margin of error, so this could be anybody's race. Now,
(00:46):
let's get to the Republican side, because it's a little
bit different on that side. Jack Chittarelli, who ran for
governor four years ago, has forty two percent of register
Republican voters. Bill Spadia, the talk show host that's running
against him, only twelve percent, and John Bramnick four percent,
(01:10):
So it seems like he is running away with this.
And on the phone right now is Jack Chittarelli. That
had to be a nice surprise when you woke up
this morning.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Good morning, Larry. We've been working really hard and I
think their polls show the result of all that hard work.
But listen, it's six weeks from tomorrow. We're not taking
anything for granted. We'll finish strong here and deliver a
win in the primary and then on to victory in November.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Yeah, you coming so close last time. As a matter
of fact, a lot of people thought you were going
to win because at the end of the election day
you were ahead and then votes came in and you
ended up losing, but by only a small margin. You
were closer than any Republicans come since, well since Christy,
(01:55):
and so I think that a lot of people remember that.
And do you think many people you have buyer's remorse?
Speaker 2 (02:02):
I hear that all the time, Larry, that people didn't
come out last time because they didn't think that had
a shot in hell And they said, Jack, I thought
you were just giving me the company line. They now
understand that we can win. These are races, and listen,
this time around, I'm not continuing with a pandemic or
a shelter in place order I'm not running against an incumbent.
You've already mentioned how contested the other side of the
aisle is, and I don't think they're in a kiss
(02:22):
and makeup when it's over. But to your other point,
there's just a whole lot less indifference the closeness of
my race. Donald Trump's performs this last election day in
New Jersey, although he didn't win much closer than expected,
he improved by eleven points from twenty twenty. All those
things point to an opportunity for a win here, and
that's exactly what I plan on delivering.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
I'm glad you brought up Donald Trump because you've seen
the recent poll numbers. You know, the general election for
you is a little some months off, but still still.
I would imagine you're hoping Donald Trump performs much better
in the polls because that will affect your race, will
it not.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
He's doing exactly what he said he was going to do,
and it's not easy to hit the reset button. There's
gonna be unpopular decisions. I expect the same thing when
I'm governor. But I did thank him when I met
with him about a month ago for the two promises made,
promises kept. He put a temporary halt on the wind
farms off the Jersey shore. We don't want that in Jersey.
And he also is beaten up on New York Democrats
or over that congestion pricing plan. So I thank them
(03:22):
for those two things. Those things are important to New Jerseys.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
Let's talk about congestion pricing for a moment, because that's
extremely important to New Jersey communitys coming into New York,
Governor hokel told New Jersey basically to mind your own business.
There is a lawsuit in the works right now. How
involved have you been with that and what would you
do as governor to help with the fight against congestion pricing.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
I've been very clear, Larry, if the New York goes
ahead with this congestion pricing plan, was your money grab
put on the backs of New Jerseys who spur the
New York economy every single day. I'm going to put
in my own congestion pricing plan. Any New York plate
that comes under the tunnels, through thes or over the
bridge in the morning, we'll hit them with a congestion
pricing fee and we'll fund New Jersey transit. Let's see
how New York likes that.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
Yeah, we haven't heard too much about the wind turbines
off the coast, and I know Donald Trump has put
an end to funding for that. Are they dead? And
what happens to the turbines or at least some of
the construction underneath on the bottom of the seafloor. Does
that just stay there forever?
Speaker 2 (04:24):
What you do here? A lot about Larry is month.
The electric bills are skyrocketing, and just wait until everybody
puts their air conditioners on. It's because Phil Murphy's energy
policies have failed. He placed everything he bet the house
on wind, and the whole thing is crashed and burned.
We need to get up our electricity production from natural
gas and nuclear. I'll do those two things. But yes,
it's over and done with. It really is. Even the
(04:46):
last remaining wind farm off of Long Island seems to
now be over and done with as well.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
It was such a bad idea from the beginning, such
a bad idea.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
It's bad economics, it's bad energy policy, it's bad environmental policy.
It was all about Phil Murvy burnishing his green credentials
to make New Jersey, the California the East coast for
him to run for President. He has really failed across
the board, Larry, with energy, with education, with the economy,
with law enforcement and public safety. The entire eight year
(05:15):
term has been an abysmal failure.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
You come into office with mass deportations going on right
now for criminals and trying to find children that are missing.
Somehow they lost track of them. The Homeland Security under
Biden lost track of them. How will that affect your
race and what will your policy be in helping Donald
Trump with this specifically on sanctuary cities.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Let's say, as I go up and down the state
days a week, Larry, I'll tell you New Jerseys want
New Jersey to be safe, and they know that that
starts on day one of my administration by ending sanctuary cities.
We're not going to be a sanctuary state. I'm never
going to tell a mayor or police chief they can't
work in partnership with ICE to keep their community safe.
I support the President's deportation plan, and let's make the
(06:02):
country in New Jersey safe again, but we're not going
to encourage illegal immigration with sanctuary cities and sanctuary states
in New Jersey. We're just not.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Would it be the policy of your administration for the
state police to work hand in hand with ICE on deportations.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
We were the whistleblower on that letter the Attorney General
sent to the colonel, and the colonel had to send
it out to the two thousand state police men and
women that they're not the work in partnership with ICE,
that they're going to continue to follow their sanctuary city,
sanctuary state policies here in New Jersey. So it's not
the fault of the state police. Their hands are tied.
They report the Attorney General, but he's gone. On day
one of a Cheddarelly administration.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
Two judges have been arrested for harboring illegals. Governor Murphy
bragged about harboring and protecting an illegal in this country.
How did he skate on that?
Speaker 2 (06:51):
My goodness, Larry, I mean, how irresponsible can you be?
And then worse yet, he tempted, He tempted Ice to
come on the property to get the illegal. He's under
twenty four hour protection by the state police. What was
he trying to do? Invite the confrontation. It was an
irresponsible comment. He's backpedaled on it since it's a terrible
embarrassment for New Jersey. Every governor Republican or Democrat, I
(07:13):
believe as an obligation to work in partnership with the
President to make America safe again. That means a secure
border and no sanctuary cities and no sanctuary states.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
I know a lot of people running for an executive
branch like you are to be governor of New Jersey,
talk about executive orders they'll sign on day one, or
with policies that they're going to push on day one.
What's day one for you?
Speaker 2 (07:34):
Day one is no sanctuary cities, no sanctuary state. Executive
Order number two. As we bring our state workers back
to work, you can't get anybody on the phone or
get an issue resolved. Phil Murvey's got our state workers
working from home post pandemic. But you know what, Larry,
I'm not going to need executive orders, and I'll tell
you why. I'm going to produce a Republican majority. I
flipped eight seats back in twenty twenty one with some
wind in my face. I've got wind in my back
(07:56):
now I can flip thirteen seats. And I flipped thirteen seats.
Get that's something we haven't had in three decades in
New Jersey. Republican majority in the state legislature that makes
it easier to achieve my agenda.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
That'd be great. Jack Chittarelli, Republican candidate for governor way
ahead according to the Rutgers Poll. Thanks so much, Jack,
Thanks for spending time.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
Thank you, Larry,
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