It’s the front-runner’s prerogative to stiff arm the competition when the calls for debates begin, Save Jerseyans, but Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli (R-Somerset), running to overtake Kim Guadagno in this year’s N.J. GOP gubernatorial primary, refuses to take no for an answer:
—
https://twitter.com/Ciattarelli2017/status/834408234756763650
—
Context: Ciattarelli challenged Guadagno to debate in all 21 counties earlier this month, even launching a ‘Silent Kim’ attack site as part of the ongoing attempt to drag the Lieutenant Governor out of her bunker.
The Somerset businessman’s campaign has nevertheless been hampered by a surprise cancer diagnosis which, while reportedly very treatable, necessarily kept him off the trail for much of the last month as Guadagno continued to aggressively make her rounds around the state. It’s hard to understate the challenges associated with running a campaign for a candidate that can’t consistently make the rounds at least in the early-goings.
Sources close to the campaigns fully acknowledge that 21 debates is unlikely but fully expect at least a few confrontations to be scheduled as the critical county convention calendar unfolds.
Both candidates also face social media activist Joe Rullo and Nutley Township Commissioner Steven L. Rogers on the June ballot. Veteran Saturday Night Live comedian Joe Piscopo continues to make noises, too, but hasn’t pulled the trigger and is increasingly considered unlikely to do so.
Ciattarelli, Rullo and Rogers have all reportedly confirmed for an upcoming candidate forum in Metuchen but Guadagno, to date, has not.
____
