Jack Ciattarelli unveiled a slate of gubernatorial endorsements from about 30 Atlantic County officials as the Republican seeks his party’s nomination for a second cycle.
Atlantic County GOP Chairman Don Purdy and state Sen. Vince Polistina (R-Egg Harbor Twp) led the endorsees. The slate includes a pair of Assembly members, all eight GOP county commissioners (as well as a commissioner-elect), and 14 mayors or mayors-elect.
The county has reddened since 2017, when Gov. Phil Murphy won Atlantic 56%-44%. Ciattarelli flipped the county in 2021, beating Murphy 56%-44%. President-elect Donald Trump beat Vice President Kamala Harris in Atlantic this year, 51%-47%.
“Jack has put in the work here in Atlantic County. He’s fought hard to help us elect strong Republican leaders, from President Donald Trump to Senator Vince Polistina and our proud team of county and local officials all over Atlantic County,” Purdy said in a release. “Jack has been there for us, he understands the needs of Atlantic County workers and families, and will deliver the change New Jersey desperately needs after eight years of Phil Murphy.”
Atlantic County GOP Vice Chairwoman Kristi Hanselmann, Clerk Joe Giralo, Sheriff Joseph O’Donoghue, and Surrogate Jim Curcio also endorsed Ciattarelli.
Atlantic County was one of Ciattarelli’s strongest counties in the 2021 GOP primary election, a race he won handily.
“Jack has the energy and common sense plan that we need to revitalize New Jersey,” Polistina said in a release. “I look forward to working with him to bring down prices, create good paying jobs, make it easier for small businesses to succeed and less expensive for seniors to retire right here in Atlantic County. We’ll be fighting hard for him throughout this campaign.”
In a separate announcement, longtime Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson endorsed Ciattarelli.
“I’ve known Jack Ciattarelli for 25 years,” Levinson wrote. “He is a man of honor and integrity and is keenly focused on New Jersey and Atlantic County’s problems. I wholeheartedly endorse his candidacy for Governor.”
The full list of Atlantic County officials endorsing Ciattarelli today: Atlantic GOP Chairman Don Purdy; State Sen. Vince Polistina (R-Egg Harbor Twp); Assemblyman Don Guardian (R-Atlantic City); Assemblywoman Claire Swift (R-Margate); Atlantic County GOP Vice Chairwoman Kristi Hanselmann; Commissioner Maureen Kern; Commissioner Andrew Parker; Commissioner John Risley; Commissioner Jim Bertino; Commissioner Rich Dase; Commissioner Amy Gatto; Commissioner Frank Balles; Commissioner June Byrnes; Commissioner-Elect Michael Ruffu; Clerk Joe Giralo; Sheriff Joseph O’Donoghue; Surrogate Jim Curcio; Mayor Vince Sera of Brigantine; Mayor Michael Collins of Margate; Mayor Dennis Tapp of Somers Point; Mayor Darren Matik of Linwood; Mayor-Elect Tom Marrone of Absecon; Mayor Tony Coppola of Galloway; Mayor Niki Giberson of Port Republic; Mayor Laura Pfrommer of Egg Harbor Township; Mayor Art Schenker of Hamilton Township; Mayor Glenn Smith of Folsom; Mayor Bill Ruggeri of Buena Vista; Mayor Joe Baruffi of Buena; Mayor Kenneth Haesar of Weymouth; and Mayor Elizabeth Owen of Estell Manor.
See here for a full list of endorsements in New Jersey’s 2025 gubernatorial contest.