Statements on Jack Ciattarelli’s concession speech

GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY

“Earlier today I received a phone call from Assemblyman Ciattarelli congratulating us on our victory. I thank the Assemblyman, his wife Melinda, and his family for a spirited campaign and their commitment to public service.

“This election was not simply a choice of candidates, but of direction, and the people of New Jersey have chosen to keep moving forward. We know our work of building a stronger and fairer state doesn’t end with this election. And we know our path forward won’t be easy as we continue to beat back this pandemic.

“Over the next four years, we will govern as we have since day one – committed to building a stronger and fairer New Jersey from the middle out and the bottom up. A state where everyone has a fair chance and opportunity is there for all. We will continue to stand with New Jersey’s middle class and everyone striving to get there.

“We also renew our promise to all New Jerseyans – those that voted for me, and those that did not – to continue fighting for a New Jersey that works for everyone. I look forward to moving confidently toward that goal as one state and one family.”

SENATE MINORITY LEADER-DESIGNATE STEVE OROHO AND ASSEMBLY MINORITY LEADER-DESIGNATE JOHN DIMAIO

“We’d like to thank Jack Ciattarelli for waging a tough fight and exceeding the expectations set by New Jersey’s liberal pollsters and media. While the Trenton Insiders have tried to write off New Jersey as a blue state for years, voters sent a clear message last week that they are fed up with Trenton Democrats bossing them around, raising their taxes and spending their hard-earned dollars as if it is Monopoly money. 

Here’s the deal: when we run smart campaigns with the right candidates who articulate a clear message, our wins in the Senate and Assembly prove we can compete anywhere and everywhere.  We won three tough seats in the Senate and likely flipped six seats in the Assembly, but we won’t be content until Republicans are in the majority in two years.  More than New Jersey Republicans being ‘alive and well’, our Republican legislative team has developed the blueprint for our party’s success, both now and in the future.

New Jersey Republicans can no longer be content to be in the minority or to merely ‘compete’ in elections – we need to win them, just like we did last week all over the state.  This is a new era for Republicans in New Jersey and now is the time to capitalize on our legislative victories to look forward, not back.  It is time for new leadership and fresh ideas in Trenton, and as the incoming leaders in the Republican caucuses, we are ready for the challenge.  

Here is our promise to the voters of New Jersey: last week, we heard your message and we will fight like hell to get the Trenton Democrats’ liberal hands out of our wallets and get Phil Murphy’s overreaching government out of our lives.”

REPUBLICAN STATE CHAIRMAN BOB HUGIN

“I want to thank my friends Jack and Diane for running a strong, but aboveboard and solutions-oriented campaign that showed voters here the respect and attention they have so sorely lacked under one-party rule. This is a new day for Republicans in the Garden State, and for that, we have Jack Ciattarelli to thank.”
 
“Combined with the historic gains we made in the legislature, including the defeat of the Senate President, Murphy’s close call has thrown New Jersey Democrats into chaos, while emboldening Republicans and fed-up unaffiliated voters for cycles to come. No longer can New Jersey be written off by friends and foes alike as simply a ‘blue state’ with few prospects, but rather it should be given the investment and scrutiny the people of this state deserve.”

“We look forward to working with Jack and Diane as dynamic leaders of the Republican Party for years to come to make life better for all New Jerseyans.”

STATE SENATOR-ELECT EDWARD DURR

“Jack Ciattarelli ran a great race and inspired thousands of Republicans to get active and volunteer on campaigns.  For that we should all be thankful to Jack.”

Now is not the time to look backward, it is time to move forward. My fellow patriots have to keep the energy Jack helped bring to the Republican base and continue to work with that base for more victories, just as patriots helped us in LD3.”

“Here in LD3 my friend Claire Gustafson, who supported me every step of the way, will soon announce she is running for Congress against Donald Norcross..  I will stand with her when she announces and be with her every step of the way. Let’s move forward together and slay another giant. I promise, together we can do it!”

“We can’t stop moving forward. I will continue to fight dangerous Phil Murphy. I hope and pray during lame duck the legislature open a bipartisan investigation to determine how many people died because of dangerous Phil Murphy’s irresponsible order to move COVID patients into nursing homes Dangerous Phil Murphy needs to be help accountable for what he has done to New Jersey. Dangerous Phil Murphy needs to pay restitution to every small business owner he hurt and I don’t care if he has to sell his Italian villa to do it. And, he needs to apologize to every single New Jerseyan who lost a loved one to his dangerous COVID orders. I suspect an investigation will tell us it was more than 10,000.”