Melinda Castro Ciattarelli, wife of three-time gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli, announced on Wednesday that she won’t be wading into the 2024 U.S. Senate race.
“I am thankful to all who were supportive of a run for US Senate and those who reached out with encouraging words,” said Ciattarelli in a statement. At this point in my life my wellbeing and the wellbeing of my family are my priority. I have always focused on the wants and needs of others, especially those I care about the most.”
She’s working on charitable initiatives instead.
“My morals, principles and values have spoken for themselves throughout the years in public view. I want to make a difference in the lives of others in a respectful, caring way. Mental health, women empowerment, boundaries, abuse, bullying, self-esteem and drug abuse are some of the issues I am passionate about,” Ciattarelli added. “I feel I can make more of a difference away from the nastiness of a political campaign, which is why I am going to focus on my new foundation, United for Impact. Additionally, working with some of the team we assembled as I was exploring a run for Senate, in the coming days I will be launching a groundbreaking nonprofit foundation committed to safeguarding individuals from the detrimental impact of bullying, both online and offline. In an era where bullying has evolved beyond traditional boundaries the foundation will emerge as a beacon of hope and defense for everyday victims. The foundation’s mission will be to empower citizens to intervene when Congress lacks the motivation or agility to enact laws that adequately shield individuals from the effects of bullying. Through a multifaceted approach, the foundation will aim to raise awareness, provide support systems and advocate for comprehensive anti-bullying measures.”
The Ciattarelli couple confirmed their separation last year. Melinda Ciattarelli’s Senate exploration was first reported by Save Jersey. Her decision is arguably a big win for Jack Ciattarelli’s 2025 gubernatorial campaign since the possibility of back-to-back Ciattarelli-dominated cycles could have contributed to Ciattatelli fatigue entering into what’s already an extremely ugly gubernatorial contest in the early going.
Republicans’ long-shot effort to win a U.S. Senate seat in the Garden State for the first time since before Watergate will now be helmed by either hotel magnate Curtis Bashaw, Mendham mayor Christine Serrano Glassner, or former News12 reporter Alex Zdan.
The Democrat primary, catalyzed by incumbent Bob Menendez’s second lifetime federal corruption prosecution, is a pitched battle between First Lady Tammy Murphy and Congressman Andy Kim (though Menendez has thus far refused to step aside despite basement-level approval ratings).
