Ciattarelli is now shoo-in for Atlantic GOP organization line

Gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli appears to have a lock on the Atlantic County Republican organization line after securing endorsements from GOP County Chairman Keith Davis, State Sen. Christopher Brown (R-Ventnor) and County Executive Dennis Levinson.

“While I do not typically make endorsements prior to our county convention, Jack is different. Jack has earned broad support from across Atlantic County by spending time here on the ground, supporting our Republican candidates, and being there when we needed him,” Davis said. “ Jack is the only candidate who can beat Phil Murphy and begin to fix our badly broken state.”

Ciattarelli also gained public support from four Republican freeholders – Maureen Kern, John Risley, Amy Gatto and Richard Dase – as well as former freeholder Frank Formica and State Committeewoman Sonya Harris.

The move to secure Atlantic comes two days after Michael Lavery, an ally of GOP gubernatorial candidate, was elected state party chairman.  Atlantic backed Lavery’s opponent, former U.S. Senate candidate Bob Hugin.

Other Ciattarelli backers include former Assemblyman John Amodeo, Vince Polistina, Ken LeFevre and J. Edward Kline, and former freeholder Frank Sutton.

“Jack has spent years getting to know the people of Atlantic County, and we’ve gotten to know him,” said Levinson.  “Jack is a man of his word and the conservative, solutions-oriented leader that this state needs right now. I like Jack and I am confident that he will beat Phil Murphy in November.”

Republican leaders in Hammonton and Egg Harbor Township, including Freeholders James Bertino and Frank Balles, State Committeeman Joe Cafero, former State Sen. Sonny McCullough, have already endorsed Ciattarelli.