Christie’s man on RNC donates to Ciattarelli

Embattled GOP National Committeeman Bill Palatucci, a close ally of former Gov. Chris Christie,  is cozying up to gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli, a move that comes as national Republicans weigh invoking Rule No. 4 (b) and refuse to seat him when they hold their winter meeting next year.

Last week, Palatucci made a $500 personal contribution to Ciattarelli for governor; in August, he donated $1,000 to another candidate in next year’s primary, State Sen. Job Bramnick (R-Westfield).

Some view campaign contributions as taking sides as a public display of support, but Palatucci told the New Jersey Globe that he doesn’t see it that way.

“I have been clear to Jack, Jon, and Bill that I am neutral in next year’s race, and so my contribution to Jack shouldn’t be read as an endorsement,” Palatucci stated.  “I have deep respect for Bill Spadea as well who I have known for many years.  So, in terms of 2025, it’s very early, and I will continue to watch the primary race develop with great interest.”

Palatucci’s potential political problem follows his support of Christie for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination and his refusal to back Donald Trump in the general election. He had participated in discussions about Christie running as an independent as the “No Labels” candidate in the general election.  Palatucci didn’t arrive at the Republican National Convention until after the Trump roll call.

In June, Palatucci defeated Atlantic County GOP Chairman Donald Purdy by two votes, 22-20, to win re-election to the RNC seat he’s held since 2010.  The race was a showdown between Trump, who endorsed Purdy, and Christie, who attended the state committee meeting to whip votes for Palatucci.

Some GOP leaders are certain that Palatucci told them he would resign his national committeeman post if Trump returned to the White House.

He was among a small group of national committee members who opposed a resolution in 2022 censuring then-Reps. Liz Cheney (R-Wyoming) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Illinois) for their involvement in investigating the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.  Cheney and Kinzinger both endorsed Kamala Harris and campaigned for her.  Christie never endorsed anyone and said he would not vote for Trump.

Rule No. 4 (b) states that “the Republican National Committee shall have the power to declare vacant the seat of any member who refuses to support the Republican nominee for President of the United States or Vice President of the United States.”  If they declare a vacancy, the 42 members of the New Jersey Republican State Committee would need to hold a special election to fill the seat.