Jack Ciattarelli told reporters on Thursday that a cancer diagnosis won’t derail his gubernatorial campaign.
It might impact his schedule, however, in the early, crucial months of what was shaping up to be a contentious GOP primary to succeed Chris Christie.
The diagnosis is oropharyngeal cancer (the oropharynx is the middle portion of the throat behind the mouth).
“The good news is that after consulting with my radiation oncologist Sung Kim, medical director of Radiation Oncology at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, my prognosis is excellent, and despite being forced to miss out on events later this month and early next, I expect to be getting back to full speed in the latter half of February,” Ciattarelli explained.
His treatments are scheduled to end on January 31st; the lumps were first discovered back in October 2016 around the time of his initial campaign launch.
Lymph nodes from both sides of Ciattarelli’s neck were removed back on November 15th.
“I decided to run for Governor because I love New Jersey and am passionate about taking us in an entirely new direction. This experience has only strengthened my commitment to winning this campaign and solving the serious problems facing our state,” added Ciattarelli. “I am incredibly blessed and fortunate to have the love and support of my wife and four children, as well as my friends. I am also fortunate to have an exceptional team of competent and compassionate physicians who have all provided me the highest quality of care.”
The surprise announcement delivered from the State House steps came mere days after the retiring Somerset Assemblyman threw his first sharp elbow at his likely chief opponent for the nomination, Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, and delivered a well-received speech on school funding.
Guadagno is expected to announce her own candidacy any day now, before President-elect Donald Trump’s Inauguration Day.
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