Republican gubernatorial candidates square off in tense-but-not-explosive debate

In the first of two state-sponsored debates of the primary cycle, Republican candidates for governor sparred over Trump, electability, and the shape of the state Supreme Court.

State Sen. Jon Bramnick, former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, and former radio personality Bill Spadea sparred occasionally during the debate; while Bramnick at one point compared the forum to the “Jerry Springer Show,” the candidates weren’t as aggressive as they were in a February debate.

Many of the specifics discussed did not break new ground. Ciattarelli, the frontrunner according to publicly released polls, said he would work to lower taxes in the state and reform the state’s education funding formula. Spadea and Bramnick repeated similar sentiments.

Bramnick said he would cut down on “pork” spending in the state’s budget.

Spadea said President Donald Trump’s efforts to deport undocumented immigrants will improve housing prices and benefits in the state.

Spadea said policies on issues like immigration and bail reform have swung too far left, and as governor, he would suspend bail reform and aggressively work with federal immigration officials. When pressed about whether he finds some examples of immigration or law enforcement excessive, he said the re-establishment of strict policy takes precedence.

“You could find a one-off example of bail reform of some poor kid that couldn’t afford 300 bucks. And I say, well, that’s too bad, because the pendulum swung too far the other direction, we now have to bring it back,” Spadea said.

Ciattarelli and Spadea have each pushed for Trump’s endorsement—both met with the Republican leader in March.

The candidates disagreed over whether to adhere to the tradition of partisan balance in the state Supreme Court, which has typically allowed the sitting governor’s party to control the body 4-3. Ciattarelli said he would not adhere to that practice, saying the court needs conservatives.

Bramnick said he would keep that practice, arguing abandoning it would give Democrats an advantage in the long run. Spadea, a firebrand, gave a slightly uncharacteristic “I don’t know.” He argued the court needs conservatives, but said some Democratic judges can be as conservative as some Republican judges.

After the debate, Bramnick again said he believes he is the only Republican candidate capable of winning a general election in November. The state senator, whose moderate, Trump-skeptic approach contrasts strongly with his opponents’ increased embrace of the president, argued the Republican Party is lacking heart and empathy and said his opponents are too “poll-oriented.”

“I think people are dying to elect a Republican in this state and bring balance,” Bramnick told reporters afterward. “But they’re going to be hesitant if they think [the candidate] doesn’t have the traditional Republican values.”

Spadea said he believes energy behind the president would help an honest, Trump-backed Republican win the general election. The former radio host praised Bramnick for his honesty, but called Ciattarelli “a liar and a fraud.” When asked if he would endorse Ciattarelli should he win the nomination, Spadea said it wouldn’t be up to him.

“That is a question for Jack Ciattarelli, because Jack did not want my help and rejected President Trump’s help in 2021,” he said.

David Cruz and Michael Hill moderated the debate. The event, which producers billed as a conversation, was the first of two sanctioned GOP debates before the June 10 primary. The debate, held in NJ PBS’s Newark studios, was also sponsored by WNYC and Chat Box with David Cruz.

The New Jersey Globe will host the second Republican debate in Newark on May 20. 

More than 26,000 Republicans have already voted by mail, according to Associated Press elections researcher Ryan Dubicki. 

The three Republicans will be joined on the ballot by former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac and Burlington County contractor Justin Barbera. The latter pair failed to reach the fundraising thresholds needed to qualify for the debates and for public matching funds.