NJ Democratic councilman endorses Republican Ciattarelli for governor

A Democratic councilman from New Jersey is breaking together with his occasion to throw his assist behind Republican Jack Ciatarelli within the heated race for governor.

Branchville Councilman Jeff Lewis stated his occasion’s candidate is “not certified for this place.”

“She did not do something to get me excited,” Lewis stated Wednesday on “America Experiences.”

“The one factor she retains attempting to do together with her commercials is the truth that she’s a helicopter pilot and a mom of 4. She thinks she will be able to decrease her electrical invoice, and I feel she’s going to have a extremely laborious time.”

The endorsement comes as key Democratic figures are lining as much as again their nominee, together with former President Barack Obama, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

NJ MAYOR BREAKS WITH DEMS TO SUPPORT CIATTARELLI FOR GOVERNOR, DEMANDS END TO SANCTION POLICY

Jack Ciatarelli, the Republican candidate for governor of New Jersey, leaves after casting his vote within the October 2021 early voting. (Stephanie Keith/Getty Photos)

Ciatarelli is operating in opposition to Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill in an more and more shut race. He beforehand ran for governor, however misplaced to Democratic Governor Phil Murphy in 2021. Murphy, who’s term-limited, has since endorsed Sherrill within the 2025 race.

Lewis joins a rising variety of New Jersey Democrats who’ve crossed occasion traces to assist Ciatarelli, together with a number of mayors and native leaders. He stated New Jersey voters have had sufficient of the occasion in its present state.

“Individuals are a bit bored with the previous means… Pushing issues down and saying that is the best way it needs to be,” he stated.

CIATTARELLI RUNS ON MIKIE SHERRILL AT NJ CITY HALL, CITTING IMMIGRATION AND MARINE ACADEMY: ‘NOT A CENTRIST’

Lewis admitted that he had felt this fashion for a while and had beforehand voted for President Donald Trump within the normal election. He defined that though he’s “nominally” a Democrat, he was upset with the occasion’s beliefs.

Mikie Sherrill and Jack Ciatarelli face off in a gubernatorial debate as they compete to grow to be New Jersey’s subsequent governor. (Heather Khalifa/AP Picture)

“My mom was a Democrat. When it got here time to truly register, you routinely registered as a Democrat,” he stated.

“However that does not essentially imply that I all the time vote for the Democratic Occasion through the years.”

NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR’S RACE: DEMOCRAT SHERRILL LEADS REPUBLIC CIATTERELLI BY SIX POINTS IN 2026 BELLWETHER

He believes there are extra voters like him within the blue state.

Fox Information polls performed between Oct. 10 and 14 discovered that 34% of voters within the state see excessive taxes as the largest drawback going through New Jersey. Different main considerations have been the rising price of dwelling and housing prices.

Democrat Mikie Sherrill responds to questions in the course of the first gubernatorial debate of the overall election with Republican opponent Jack Ciatarelli. Sunday, September 21 in Lawrenceville, NJ (AP Picture/Noah Ok. Murray)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Lewis stated he has spoken with Ciatarelli earlier than and believes he’s the suitable selection to guide the state.

“I imagine he’s completely a gentleman who will do proper by the state,” Lewis stated.