Garfield Mayor Everett E. Garnto Jr. of Bergen County officially left the Democratic Party on Thursday and endorsed Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli, citing dissatisfaction with Governor Phil Murphy’s leadership. “The state is broken,” Garnto declared at a rally in Garfield, where hundreds gathered to support the GOP contender. He criticized Murphy for rising taxes, costly utilities, and public safety concerns, saying New Jerseyans “deserve better.”
Garnto, who supported Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, brings a strong background in local law enforcement, having served as president of the Garfield Police Benevolent Association. His switch marks a growing trend of moderate Democrats aligning with Ciattarelli. Other notable Democratic backers include Dover Mayor James P. Dodd and former Assemblyman Jamel Holley, who have also expressed discontent with current state leadership.
Ciattarelli, a former state assemblyman, is set to face Democratic U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill in the November 2025 gubernatorial race. According to a recent Emerson College poll, the contest is currently tied, with both candidates holding 43% of the vote and 11% of voters still undecided. The close numbers reflect a deeply polarized electorate and a growing appetite for change among some New Jersey voters.
Former President Donald Trump, who has endorsed Ciattarelli, amplified the Emerson poll on Truth Social, praising the candidate as “tough on crime and cutting taxes.” He criticized Sherrill for supporting progressive causes, attempting to paint her as out of touch with mainstream voters. Meanwhile, Sherrill has defended her record and committed to easing the financial burden on working families.
Beyond party lines, Ciattarelli has also secured support from organized labor. The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825, representing over 7,000 members, endorsed him for his openness to natural gas projects and focus on infrastructure. With energy policy, tax reform, and economic transparency at the center of the campaign, the gubernatorial race remains highly competitive in a sharply divided New Jersey.
