As the New Jersey governor’s race enters its critical closing weeks, tensions are escalating and campaign strategies are becoming increasingly pointed. Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli is making waves after his campaign reportedly filed a lawsuit against Democratic Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, citing comments she made during the most recent debate that Ciattarelli alleges were defamatory. The final debate, held earlier this month, was widely described as sharp, confrontational, and personal, setting the stage for a contentious finish to the race.
Adding fuel to the fire, Rep. Mike Lawler, a Republican from neighboring New York, visited a Ciattarelli “meet and greet” event at Hearth & Tap in northern Bergen County. Braving intermittent drizzle, roughly 200 attendees gathered in the bar’s courtyard to hear Lawler endorse Ciattarelli and deliver pointed criticism of Sherrill’s record.
“Having served with Mikie Sherrill, she has done absolutely nothing,” Lawler told the crowd, emphasizing his view that Sherrill has fallen short in representing her constituents. Lawler’s remarks specifically highlighted Sherrill’s opposition to raising the federal SALT (State and Local Tax) deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000. The original cap was enacted during the 2017 federal tax reforms, and Democrats have long pushed for its increase. The recent legislation, dubbed the Big Beautiful Bill by proponents, included the raise but also introduced cuts to programs such as Medicaid and SNAP, which Sherrill and other Democrats opposed.
Lawler also pressed Sherrill to release her full Naval Academy records following last month’s accidental disclosure of unredacted documents. Republicans claim that the records could contain potentially damaging information, though Sherrill has focused on addressing the improper release rather than the content itself. While the controversy generated significant media attention initially, Ciattarelli has largely avoided highlighting it at public events.
In his remarks, Ciattarelli maintained his campaign message, stressing the high stakes of the election. “The future of the state hangs in the balance,” he said, reiterating a theme central to his stump speeches. Lawler echoed that sentiment while also making sharp comparisons to other governors, including New York’s Kathy Hochul and current New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, whom he labeled the state’s second-worst governor.
Ciattarelli’s legal action against Sherrill stems from her debate remarks suggesting he bore responsibility for opioid-related deaths. The accusation relates to his past ownership of a publishing company that reportedly ran stories downplaying opioid risks. Ciattarelli did not comment on the suit during the Bergen County event, keeping the focus on his campaign priorities and messaging.
Polling continues to show a tight race. A Rasmussen poll released late last week placed Sherrill in the lead with 46% of likely voters, compared to Ciattarelli’s 40%, indicating a competitive environment as both campaigns intensify outreach, messaging, and public appearances.
With the election approaching, New Jersey voters can expect the final weeks to feature increasingly vigorous debates, legal maneuvers, and targeted campaign efforts from both sides. The contest is not only shaping up to be a referendum on policies and leadership style but also a test of how effectively candidates navigate the final stretch of a high-stakes political battle.
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