Association of retired police officers, firefighters endorse Ciattarelli

The New Jersey Retired Police and Firemen’s Association endorsed Republican Jack Ciattarelli for governor on Tuesday, according to a press release.

The association, which represents thousands of retired first responders in the state, said the former assemblyman is the candidate best equipped to give retired police and firefighters a cost-of-living adjustment for the first time since 2011. The association also backed Ciattarelli in the Republican primary.

“We weighed the positions of both candidates and it was clear to us that Jack was the best candidate for our retirees and the best candidate for the people of New Jersey,” said Ron DiGiovanni, the president of the association. “The state budget ballooned from $37 billion to $58 billion under eight years of Democratic control, yet not one dollar went to make right with the people who protected our families. The status quo isn’t working for our retirees, but Ciattarelli has pledged to fix this betrayal and make the changes to reinstate COLA.”

The New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police, a major law enforcement union, endorsed Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy in 2017, but did not make an endorsement in the Murphy v. Ciattarelli race of 2021. Neither the Fraternal Order of Police nor the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association have made an endorsement in this year’s race.