Ciattarelli launches first TV ads of his campaign for governor

Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli released his first two cable television and digital ads in his campaign to unseat Gov. Phil Murphy in November.

In “Scared and Alone,” Ciattarelli narrates an ad blaming Murphy for 8,000 nursing home deaths and slamming the governor for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Script: Scared and alone. That’s how 8,000 seniors and veterans died in our nursing homes during this pandemic. They died because Governor Murphy ordered nursing homes to take in COVID-19 patients.  I’m Jack Ciattarelli. The pandemic isn’t easy. We get it. But Phil Murphy’s failures made it worse.  Vaccinating inmates before seniors, refusing to open our schools, forcing people to wait months before their unemployment, and shutting down small businesses, some forever.  New Jersey, we can do better. When I am Governor, we will.”

The second ad, “Anderson Street,” helps Ciattarelli, a former assemblyman, introduce himself to New Jersey voters.  Ciattarelli again appears on camera in footage filmed before COVID-19 and social distancing to talk about growing up in blue-collar Raritan, building two businesses, and pledging to fix New Jersey’s problems.

Script: My story is a New Jersey story, and it all started right here on Anderson Street in Raritan Borough. My parents owned a bar and restaurant and raised their family. I am Jack Ciattarelli. Jersey is where I started and built two successful Main Street businesses, creating jobs and opportunities for fellow New Jerseyans.  It’s where Melinda and I raise our four children. This is my home and yours. But New Jersey is broken. You know it, and I know it, and we are going to fix it, together.  Every one of us has our New Jersey story. As Governor, I’ll work hard every day to ensure our children and their children can write their own.”

“Our campaign is taking an important step in our quest to make sure Phil Murphy is ‘One and Done in ‘21’,” Ciattarelli said.  “New Jersey is broken and as Governor, I vow to restore affordability, accountability and prosperity to our state.”

The Ciattarelli campaign will spend over $1 million airing the two ads through the end of April, campaign manager Eric Arpert told the New Jersey Globe.