Jack and Melinda Ciattarelli have separated

Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli told the New Jersey Globe this evening that he and his wife have separated.

“Recent social media posts have a great many people wondering about my family and our personal lives,” Ciattarelli said.  “The sad news is that Melinda and I have separated earlier this year.  I am very proud of the job we did raising our four adult children who are all very successful and whom we both love very much.”

Photos of Melinda Ciattarelli at a Common Sense New Jersey luncheon on Tuesday organized by another potential GOP candidate for governor, Bill Spadea, led to his public statement.  The photos were posted on the Gloucester County GOP website and are unconnected to Spadea.

“While there are those who will seek to exploit this news for their own political gain – some going so far as to spread the ugliest of rumors, all of which are untrue – that says more about them than anyone else,” Ciattarelli said.  “I will continue to treat this for what it is, a personal and private family matter.”

A former assemblyman, Ciattarelli came within three percentage points of defeating Gov. Phil Murphy in 2021.  He quickly said he plans to run again in 2025.