On September 16, 2025, Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli hosted a town hall event at the iconic Broadway Theatre of Pitman, located in Pitman, New Jersey, as part of his ongoing campaign for the 2025 gubernatorial election. The event drew several hundred attendees, eager to hear Ciattarelli outline his platform ahead of the fast-approaching election.
The Pitman town hall serves as a key stop in Ciattarelli’s campaign as he faces off against Democratic incumbent Mikie Sherrill in what has become a fiercely contested race. With national attention focusing on New Jersey’s 2025 gubernatorial contest, the event offered an opportunity for Ciattarelli to connect directly with voters, especially those in the southern part of the state.
While Ciattarelli’s supporters filled the theater, the event was not without controversy. A group of United Progressive Democrats staged a counter-protest across the street, voicing their opposition to the candidate’s political stances and past voting record. Despite the protests, the event proceeded without major incident, and Ciattarelli took the opportunity to address his audience on a number of crucial issues.
Key Issues Discussed by Jack Ciattarelli
Ciattarelli used the Pitman town hall to reinforce several core themes of his campaign. His remarks primarily focused on tax relief, crime reduction, education reform, and public safety, as well as the overall direction he hopes to take the state of New Jersey. Here are some of the standout points from his speech:
Affordability and Taxes
A major part of Ciattarelli’s platform revolves around making New Jersey more affordable. He expressed a commitment to lowering taxes, which he argued are contributing to the state’s affordability crisis. Ciattarelli outlined his plan to:
- Reduce Property Taxes: Proposing adjustments to the state’s school funding formula to lower the property tax burden, especially for homeowners.
- Corporate Business Tax Reduction: Aimed at stimulating economic growth, Ciattarelli outlined a plan to reduce the Corporate Business Tax over a five-year period to attract more businesses to New Jersey.
- Targeted Tax Relief: He emphasized providing an income tax reduction for all taxpayers and freezing property taxes for seniors once they reach the age of 70.
Crime and Public Safety
Ciattarelli painted himself as a staunch advocate for law and order, criticizing what he called the current administration’s “soft-on-crime” policies. He proposed appointing a more pro-police Attorney General and revisiting policies around bail reform. He also vowed to repeal New Jersey’s Sanctuary State policy, which limits the state’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Education and School Reform
Education emerged as another key area of focus for Ciattarelli, who sharply criticized the current school funding formula. He argued that it unfairly penalizes high-performing districts while not adequately supporting lower-performing ones. Additionally, Ciattarelli called for:
- Expanded School Choice: Supporting charter schools and loosening restrictions on inter-district school choice.
- Parental Rights: He expressed strong support for a “Parents’ Bill of Rights,” ensuring transparency in school curricula and opposing age-inappropriate education.
Energy Costs and Government Reform
Addressing the rising cost of living, Ciattarelli voiced frustration over increasing utility bills and vowed to roll back the current administration’s energy policies. He also discussed his plan to overhaul state government, including:
- Ending Remote Work: A proposal to require all state employees to return to a full, in-person work week.
- Department of Government Efficiency: Introducing a new department aimed at cutting waste, fraud, and inefficiencies in state government operations.
Controversies and Criticism
The Pitman town hall also highlighted ongoing political controversies surrounding Ciattarelli’s candidacy. Protesters raised concerns about several aspects of his voting record and policy positions, including:
Hurricane Sandy Relief Voting Record: Critics highlighted Ciattarelli’s votes against financial aid for Hurricane Sandy victims during his time in the state assembly. These votes have remained a significant point of contention, with some Democrats accusing him of not standing up for the state’s most vulnerable residents in their time of need.
Sales Tax Proposal: Ciattarelli faced criticism from opponents who accused him of favoring a Tennessee-style 10% sales tax that would apply to essential items such as food and clothing. While Ciattarelli has denied making such a proposal, it has become a persistent topic of attack during the campaign.
Association with Trump and the MAGA Movement: Many critics have labeled Ciattarelli a “Trump loyalist,” pointing to his association with the former president and his alignment with the more conservative MAGA movement. His stance on issues like immigration and law enforcement has fueled these accusations.
Opposition to Reproductive Rights: Another key point of opposition from progressive groups centers on Ciattarelli’s views on reproductive rights. Although his campaign website has evolved on the issue, his position on abortion has been a lightning rod for controversy, particularly among women’s advocacy groups.
Looking Ahead: A Tight Race in 2025
As the 2025 gubernatorial election approaches, the race between Ciattarelli and Mikie Sherrill continues to tighten, with increasing support from national Republican groups bolstering Ciattarelli’s campaign efforts. This town hall event in Pitman marked an important moment in his bid to energize voters in South Jersey and beyond, where his message of tax cuts, school choice, and law and order resonates with many.
With less than two months until Election Day, Ciattarelli’s town hall events, debates, and interactions with the public will likely continue to shape the race in the coming weeks. As both candidates vie for voter support, the focus on affordability, public safety, and reform will undoubtedly remain central themes in the 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial election.
