Ciattarelli concedes to Murphy — and promises to run again
RARITAN, N.J. (AP) - Republican Jack Ciattarelli said Friday that he spoke to Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy and conceded the election, but he added that he plans to run again in four years.
In the Nov. 2 election, Murphy became the first Democratic governor in 44 years to win reelection, but the margin with Ciattarelli, a former Assembly member, was just about 3 points — much closer than public polls indicated the contest would be in a state where Democrats have 1 million more registered voters.
"I called Gov. Murphy earlier today and congratulated him on his reelection and wished him well," he said during a news conference packed with supporters in his hometown, where he said his grandparents from Italy immigrated 100 years ago.
Ciattarelli steered clear of criticizing the election results, which on election night showed him with a lead that evaporated as officials counted mail-in ballots that trended heavily Democratic. He had said that no matter the outcome, he was confident the election would be fair.
MURPHY WINS: Gov. Phil Murphy wins narrow reelection in New Jersey
Democrat Phil Murphy (left) and Republican Jack Ciattarelli
When Ciattarelli was asked Friday what his future plans were, he recalled what happened four years ago, after he also ran unsuccessfully for governor.
Back then, he said, he was asked the same question and responded that he would run in 2021, defying advice from a political consultant to form an exploratory committee before announcing his intentions.
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New Jersey residents, Ciattarelli said Friday, don't tolerate that kind of hedging.
"Why not just tell people what you're going to do?" he said.
Then, asked whether he would run again in 2025, he responded: "That's exactly my plan."
Lowering property taxes that at an average of more than $9,000 a year are among the highest in the country, and reducing the size of state government, will be top priorities, he said.
Murphy won reelection after delivering on a number of progressive policies, including higher taxes on the rich, raising the minimum wage and signing legislation requiring paid sick leave.
His narrow victory has so far not altered Murphy's plans for a similarly left-leaning second term. But the governor will confront smaller majorities in the Legislature, as well as the defeat of Senate President Steve Sweeney, whom Democrats said Friday they will replace with Sen. Nicholas Scutari in the new term.
"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," Murphy said in a statement Friday acknowledging Ciattarelli's concession.
He added: "I thank the Assemblyman, his wife Melinda, and his family for a spirited campaign and their commitment to public service."
The Associated Press declared Murphy the winner the day after Election Day, when a new batch of votes from Republican-leaning Monmouth County increased Murphy's lead and closed the door to a Ciattarelli comeback.