Ciattarelli will return contribution from Christie’s RNC man

Jack Ciattarelli is returning a $500 donation from embattled Republican National Committeeman Bill Palatucci, a move that helps the GOP gubernatorial candidate avoid questions surrounding a donation from a staunch Chris Christie ally who refused to support Donald Trump for president in 2024.

“While I greatly respect the efforts of all those who host Ciattarelli for Governor campaign events, I did not personally seek or solicit support from Bill Palatucci and his contribution of last Thursday is being returned,” Ciattarelli said.

Palatucci could be denied his seat when the RNC holds its winter meeting next year under Rule No. 4 (b), which gives the party the authority to refuse to seat a member who wouldn’t back the party’s presidential nominee.

He made a personal contribution to Ciattarelli’s campaign last week; in August, he contributed $1,000 to another candidate in next year’s primary, State Sen. Job Bramnick (R-Westfield).

Palatucci’s political problem stem from his support of Christie for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination and his refusal to back 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 2021, when Ciattarelli came within three percentage points of ousting Gov. Phil Murphy, Palatucci made no effort to get the Republican National Committee involved in the campaign, suggesting it was not winnable.  Christie delivered a similar message to the Republican Governor’s Association.

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.

Last week, Palatucci told the New Jersey Globe that he was remaining neutral in the governor’s race and his contributions to Ciattarelli and Bramnick “shouldn’t be read as an endorsement.”