Garden State Times

Throughout a hotly contested Republican primary campaign in New Jersey, Jack Ciattarelli’s opponents have repeatedly criticized him for a history of policy positions and statements that they say are out of step with modern conservatives and are in fact more in line with Democrat policies.  

According to candidate Hirsh Singh, who is also running on the Republican ticket as unapologetically pro-Trump, “having Ciattarelli in the governor’s mansion would be no different than another four years of Phil Murphy.” Now, Ciattarelli has something else in common with Murphy: they are the only two candidates to accept tax dollars to fund their campaign.

As part of New Jersey’s public matching program, candidates can receive two public dollars for every dollar they raise. 

According to recently released campaign finance data, Ciattarelli has already accepted $4 million this cycle, outpaced only by Murphy.  Ciattarelli’s embrace of New Jersey’s public matching program has drawn rebukes from many conservatives, who are accusing him of taking advantage of the system to remain in power. Ciattarelli has been in politics since 1988, and is largely viewed as representative of the old guard Republican establishment in New Jersey.

Critics are also questioning Ciattarelli’s commitment to lowering the cost of living for New Jersey families if he’s willing to go along with the liberal policy of spending tax dollars on political campaigns.  At a time when many New Jerseyans are still struggling from the residual economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic and are now facing record inflation, middle and working-class people are increasingly speaking out against the use of tax dollars to fund false or misleading attack ads against other Republicans.

The discussion around public funding of political campaigns has only intensified in recent months as congressional Democrats introduced H.R. 1, a sweeping overhaul of the nation’s election infrastructure that includes implementing a six to one public matching program nationally.  

Based on his acceptance of public dollars, Ciattarelli appears to support the policy, representing a sharp break with other Republicans nationally who have slammed the legislation as a blatant power grab for the political class.

Ciattarelli is betting that his name recognition and extensive political career will get him across the finish line on June 8. However, there are growing concerns within Ciattarelli’s campaign that the perception of him as the establishment candidate could make him vulnerable to Singh, who has closed the gap and now remains neck and neck with Ciattarelli in recent polls.  

While an influx of public cash may appear to help Ciattarelli’s campaign on the surface, the message it sends to voters about where his priorities lie may ultimately prove to be his undoing.