Trump Endorsement Could Decide NJ Governor GOP Primary Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ New Jersey’s GOP primary for governor is shaping up around one key figure: Donald Trump. With candidates split between vocal support and cautious distance, Trump’s potential endorsement could prove pivotal — but risky — in a blue-leaning state ahead of the general election.
Trump’s Impact on New Jersey GOP Primary Quick Looks
- Trump’s endorsement seen as pivotal in Republican primary
- State Sen. Jon Bramnick criticizes Trump’s Jan. 6 pardons
- GOP front-runners Jack Ciattarelli, Bill Spadea quietly seek Trump’s support
- Former mayor Mario Kranjac claims strongest Trump loyalty
- Ed Durr drops out to boost pro-Trump unity
- Trump’s brand remains divisive in Democratic-leaning New Jersey
- GOP sees voter registration gains, but Dems still lead
- Trump met with Ciattarelli last week, endorsement unclear
- Primary set for June 10, winner faces six-way Democratic race
- Republicans debate whether Trump is a help or liability
Trump Endorsement Could Decide NJ Governor GOP Primary
Deep Look
New Jersey GOP Governor’s Race Centers on Trump’s Influence and Endorsement
TRENTON, N.J. — In this year’s Republican primary for New Jersey governor, one name overshadows every campaign event, endorsement, and internal strategy session: Donald J. Trump.
Though only a part-time resident of Bedminster, Trump’s gravitational pull on the race is unmistakable — both as a potential kingmaker in the primary and a complicating force in the general election in a state that leans reliably Democratic.
“Donald Trump is the X factor in this GOP primary,” said Ben Dworkin, director of the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship. “His endorsement could make or break a candidate.”
Candidates Walk the Trump Tightrope
Among the leading GOP contenders, state Sen. Jon Bramnick has taken a different approach, openly criticizing Trump — particularly over pardons related to the January 6 Capitol attack.
Bramnick’s strategy may be aimed at winning over more moderate voters in a general election, but it stands in contrast to the quieter efforts of Jack Ciattarelli and Bill Spadea, who have both cozied up to Trump without much public attention.
Ciattarelli, the 2021 Republican nominee who lost narrowly to Gov. Phil Murphy, met with Trump last week. His strategist, Chris Russell, confirmed the meeting but declined to offer details. “If Trump endorses, we’ll welcome it,” Russell said.
Spadea, a conservative radio host, has long been aligned with Trump’s messaging, though his campaign has not confirmed any recent direct communication with the former president.
Mario Kranjac, the former mayor of Englewood Cliffs and a late entrant into the race, is taking a more vocal approach, declaring himself the “most Trump-aligned” candidate in the field.
“I never wavered in my support for President Trump, and I never will,” Kranjac said. “New Jersey needs a governor with fixed values.”
The Trump Equation in a Blue State
Trump’s influence in New Jersey is complex. While he improved his margins between 2020 and 2024, he still lost the state both times. Democrats retain a significant voter registration advantage — now about 834,000 more registered voters than Republicans — though that gap has narrowed.
Republican strategist Chris Russell sees signs of a shift: “Trump did exceedingly well in New Jersey in 2024, and Democrats underestimate that at their own risk.”
But for all the energy Trump brings, his polarizing persona poses a risk in a state that hasn’t sent a Republican to the U.S. Senate in over 50 years. Even in gubernatorial races, where Republicans have historically had more success, past winners like Chris Christie and Christine Todd Whitman projected a more moderate image.
GOP Field Shrinks, Trump’s Shadow Grows
The race recently narrowed from five to four candidates with the exit of Ed Durr, a former state senator and outspoken Trump supporter who gained national attention in 2021 after unseating longtime Democratic Senate President Steve Sweeney.
Durr exited the race saying he wanted to consolidate support around Spadea and defeat “never Trumpers.” However, he stopped short of endorsing Spadea outright.
“He doesn’t want to get ahead of President Trump,” explained Durr’s spokesman Steve Kush, highlighting how central Trump’s endorsement remains in GOP decision-making.
The Broader Implications
With just two states holding gubernatorial elections in 2025 — New Jersey and Virginia — the outcomes will offer early signals about how Trump’s second-term agenda is resonating with voters, especially in Democratic strongholds.
The winner of the June 10 GOP primary will face a Democratic nominee from a six-candidate field in what is expected to be a high-profile general election contest.
Trump’s unique role — as both a beloved figure among the GOP base and a polarizing presence among swing voters — forces Republican hopefuls to calibrate every word and move in the months ahead.
Whether Trump steps into the race with an official endorsement or not, his presence is already shaping it.
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