Jack Ciattarelli talks taxes, education, Trump endorsement, and vision for New Jersey

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Former Assemblyman and Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli sat down with ITV Gold host Piya Jyoti Kachroo to share his vision for New Jersey ahead of the 2025 election. In this candid conversation, Ciattarelli discussed his priorities for the state, his plans for reducing taxes, and what sets him apart in this race—including the endorsement from former President Donald Trump.

Q: Jack, what are the key pillars of your 2025 gubernatorial campaign?
A: New Jersey is facing several critical crises: affordability, public safety, public education, and energy. Our taxes are the highest in the country, and we need to reduce state spending and make school aid more equitable. On public safety, we need to support local police and let them do their jobs. Our schools lost ground during two years of shutdowns, and I believe we’ve moved away from teaching life skills. We need to get back to basics. And regarding energy, we simply don’t have enough electricity, which is driving up monthly bills.

Q: What does President Trump’s endorsement mean for your campaign?
A: I’m honored by President Trump’s full and total endorsement. He wants to win, and he knows how close we came in 2021. He knows New Jersey well—he spends his summers here. We’re aligned on many issues: immigration, public safety, and education. I’ve made it clear that under my leadership, New Jersey won’t be a sanctuary state.

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Q: How are you reaching voters beyond the Republican base and Trump supporters?
A: By being visible. No Republican has spent more time in New Jersey’s Indian American community than I have. I recently spoke to 5,000 people at the temple in Robbinsville. We’re using mass media—TV, radio, billboards—and engaging directly in communities all over the state.

Q: If elected, what will you do on your first day in office?
A: Three things: First, I’ll issue an executive order banning sanctuary city status in New Jersey. Second, I’ll appoint a new attorney general who supports law enforcement. Third, I’ll replace the entire State Board of Education with people who support teaching life skills and removing certain sensitive content from public school curricula.

Q: How do you plan to lower property taxes without hurting schools and public services?
A: School taxes make up 50–70% of a property tax bill. If we distribute state aid more fairly, we can reduce what local districts need from property taxes. I also plan to lower income taxes by downsizing state government, which has become bloated and inefficient under Governor Murphy.

Q: What will you do to support small businesses, especially post-COVID?
A: As a third-generation small business owner, I understand the challenges. We’ll simplify business registration, exempt the first $100,000 in business income and payroll from taxes, and eliminate taxes on the sale of small businesses. These steps will help entrepreneurs thrive.

Q: What’s your plan for healthcare affordability?
A: We need more competition. Many insurers left New Jersey because we’re not business-friendly. With more companies in the market, we’ll see more choices and lower prices. We also need to explore better pricing models and expand access to quality care.

Q: New Jersey’s infrastructure is aging. How will you improve it?
A: I’ve made infrastructure one of my top four priorities. New Jersey Transit is failing, and our roads are in terrible shape. We have enough budgetary flexibility to fix this—we just need leadership focused on execution and maintenance.

Q: How do you plan to unite such a diverse state?
A: Diversity is New Jersey’s strength. As governor, I’ll visit every community and house of worship. I’ll also reinstate the Interfaith Council and host quarterly meetings with faith leaders. Celebrating every culture is how we build unity.

Q: How will you engage New Jersey’s large Indian American and Asian American populations?A: These communities are very pro-family, pro-education, and pro-business—values I share. I want to energize them not only about my campaign but about participating in the political process. We need more Indian Americans voting and getting involved in leadership.

Q: Hate crimes and discrimination are concerns. What will you do to protect communities?
A: My attorney general and all 21 prosecutors will prioritize safety and equality. I’ll call out hate when I see it. By being present in every community and using social media to amplify that message, people will know that all are valued and protected in New Jersey.

Q: What lessons did you learn from your close 2021 race?
A: The issues haven’t changed—taxes, public safety, education. What’s changed is public perception. People now believe a Republican can win. We’re not running against an incumbent this time. And the Trump endorsement gives us even more momentum.

Q: What’s your message to young or first-time voters?
A: Don’t feel insecure about your future in New Jersey. You can achieve the American Dream here—just like three generations of my family did. But leadership matters, and I believe my leadership can make a difference for your future.

Q: Tell us something people might not know about Jack Ciattarelli.
A: I love to cook—especially Italian food. Sundays are for family dinners, and we sit for hours just talking. That kind of family strength is something I admire deeply in the Indian American community, and it’s something I want to promote across our state.

Q: Any final thoughts on the race?
A: I’m not running to climb the political ladder. I don’t want to be in Washington. I just want to fix New Jersey. We’re broken in many ways, but I believe we can fix it—with leadership rooted in experience, commitment, and love for this state.

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