As the world turns its attention to Friday’s Trump Inaugural in Washington, D.C. (and Thursday night’s festivities, including the N.J. Inaugural Ball), a healthy portion of the New Jersey GOP universe turned out in Bridgewater in anticipation of Election 2017.
They were there to support Assemblyman Jack Ciatterelli‘s first gubernatorial primary fundraiser.
The Somerset Assemblyman also accepted the public support from a cadre of Republican officials from various corners of the state including State Senator Kip Bateman (R-16), Asm. John DiMaio (R-23), former Asw. and 2017 candidate Donna Simon (R-16), Hunterdon Freeholder John Lanza, and Somerset Freeholder Mark Caliguire.
Holly Schepisi, the Assemblywoman from Bergen’s LD39, was there to support her friend as well.
“I was there to show support for a friend, but I am not ready to endorse any candidate at this time,” she told Save Jersey in a statement.
Heading into the event at the Somerville Elks?
Ciattarelli reported raising $283,000, close to the critical benchmark to qualify for public matching funds.
“I am humbled and energized by the early and strong support by New Jerseyans who are rallying around my candidacy, including my five-point plan to reform our state and my pledge to lead us in an entirely new direction,” said Ciattarelli in a pre-fundraiser release. “This level of fundraising is a very positive sign of real grassroots momentum. I am eager to build on it in the weeks and months ahead.”
The GOP frontrunner and Ciattarelli’s chief opponent for the nomination is Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno. Social media activist Joe Rullo and Nutley Township Commissioner Steven L. Rogers have also already announced GOP candidacies of their own and are actively campaigning. Other possible GOP primary candidates include veteran SNL comedian Joe Piscopo.
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Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that Asw. Schepisi had endorsed Asm. Ciattarelli when, in fact, she was there at Thursday night’s even solely as a supporter/friend. We apologize for the error.
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