Republican gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli introduced Morris County Sheriff Jim Gannon as his running mate on Wednesday morning, launching the Jack and Jim ticket as the GOP seeks to retake the governorship.
Inside Johnnies Tavern in the hilly town of Boonton, Gannon said he will help Republicans set New Jersey back on the right track, criticizing Democrats on issues from affordability to immigration. Gannon, who has also worked as a patrolman in Boonton and on the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, said he will work with Ciattarelli to end the “broken” Democratic control of Trenton.
“I stand before you honored and humbled to be your candidate for lieutenant governor in the state of New Jersey,” Gannon told the crowd of more than 150. “I’m energized to elect Jack Ciattarelli as our next governor and save our great state.”
The campaign has not said what cabinet department Gannon would lead if Ciattarelli wins the November general election. The three-term sheriff said he would work to end the Immigrant Trust Directive, which prohibits New Jersey police from cooperating with federal agents on civil immigration law enforcement operations; he called the policy a “sanctuary state” rule.
“We’ll take the handcuffs off our police and restore law and order,” Gannon said.
The New Jersey Globe first reported Ciattarelli’s selection of Gannon on Tuesday. Ciattarelli and Gannon will face Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair), who has until Monday to designate her running mate.
The former assemblyman praised Gannon’s work as a law enforcement officer and said he is someone who can bring the state together.
“He’s always been about unity, and you’ve seen it time and time again,” Ciattarelli said.
Gannon, in fact, is from Sherrill’s district, and both have proven to be strong vote-getters in Morris County. The pair has kept a cordial relationship, and Sherrill has occasionally praised Gannon’s work.
“I read a quote this morning from someone that said, ‘Thank you, Jim, for all your excellent work and making our community better.’ That was Mikie Sherrill,” Ciattarelli said.
State Senate Minority Leader Anthony Bucco spoke, and Assemblyman Mike Inganamort (R-Chester), who was in the running to be selected, attended the event. Bucco, who told the crowd he flew in from Colorado for the event and is flying back this afternoon, said he’s known Gannon since childhood and approves of Ciattarelli’s selection.
“I had the privilege of serving with Jack Ciattarelli in the Assembly, and I know what Jack can do,” Bucco said. “I’ve had the privilege of growing up with Jimmy Gannon; childhood friends forever.”
Also in attendance was Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari, who switched from the Democratic Party to the GOP on Tuesday. The five-term sheriff sought a sixth term, but lost renomination to Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis last month after losing the support of the Hudson County Democratic Organization. Schillari said Ciattarelli and Gannon are the strongest candidates to support the state’s law enforcement.
“I believe in [Ciattarelli’s] plans to change things in the state of New Jersey, and Jim Gannon has been a friend, a great sheriff, a great partner, and I’m here to support him as well,” Schillari told reporters. “And I know with Jack Ciattarelli and Jim Gannon, law enforcement will have nothing to worry about.”