Republican Jack Ciattarelli briefly sat down with Donald Trump tonight, which will likely increase speculation of a presidential endorsement in the race for governor of New Jersey.
“Tonight, my great honor and pleasure to share time with @POTUS at Trump National in Bedminster,” Ciattarelli said in a post on X that included two photos of him standing with Trump. But another photo, captured by a guest and obtained by the New Jersey Globe, shows the former assemblyman sitting at Trump’s table in conversation.
Kitchen Table Conservatives, a super PAC supporting Ciattarelli, is holding a fundraiser at Trump National this weekend. Several key Trump campaign and White House veterans, including Kellyanne Conway and Larry Weitzner, run that super PAC; a third Kitchen Table Conservative board member, Katie Miller, left the group after rejoining the Trump White House earlier this yer.
A poll conducted by Conway for the super PAC last month showed Trump’s favorables among New Jersey Republicans at 90%, with 65% of GOP primary voters saying they would be more likely to vote for a gubernatorial candidate who had Trump’s endorsement – and 75% more likely to back a Trump-like America First candidate.
Ciattarelli and former NJ 101.5 radio host Bill Spadea have been eyeing a Trump endorsement – something that could be a game changer in the June 10 Republican gubernatorial primary. Trump appeared on Spadea’s radio show last spring and praised him, saying, “You’ve had my back, and I really appreciate it.”
That line was featured in a digital ad this week from Legacy of Liberty, a super PAC supporting Spadea.
Over the last year, Ciattarelli has overtly indicated support for Trump, taking a different tone than his public criticism of 2016 and 2020.
A spokesman for the Ciattarelli campaign declined to comment.