Somerville, NJ—In a significant show of local support, fourteen Republican municipal chairs from Somerset County have endorsed former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli in his bid for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. The endorsements bolster Ciattarelli’s campaign as he vies for statewide support in the lead-up to the 2025 election.
“Voters here know Jack and trust him to deliver real conservative results as governor,” said Somerset County GOP Chair Tracy DiFrancesco, a staunch supporter of Ciattarelli. “I am proud to have a growing number of our Republican leaders join me in proudly supporting Jack Ciattarelli as the next governor.”
The municipal chairs throwing their weight behind Ciattarelli include:
- Steve Parker (Bedminster)
- Marty Hermann (Branchburg)
- Michele Peterson (Franklin)
- John Lore (Green Brook)
- Ken Scherer (Hillsborough)
- Joe Lukac (Manville)
- Kristin Ross (Millstone)
- Chris Venis (Montgomery)
- Jen Rizzo (North Plainfield)
- Adele Goetsch (Raritan)
- Ron Cefalone (Rocky Hill)
- Anthony Attanasio (Somerville)
- Don Silvernail (South Bound Brook)
- Maria Dahl (Watchung)
Ciattarelli’s endorsement list also includes Somerset GOP Vice Chairs Doug Tomson and Cathy Callahan, Treasurer Gail Rosen, Finance Chair JP Levin, and Republican State Committeewoman Brittany Wheeler. Wheeler, a longtime ally of Ciattarelli, served as his political director during his 2017 and 2021 gubernatorial campaigns.
Notably absent from the list of endorsements are the GOP municipal chairs from Bernards, Bernardsville, Far Hills, Peapack-Gladstone, and Warren—all within the 21st legislative district, where Ciattarelli faces competition from State Sen. Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield). Additionally, chairs from Bound Brook and Bridgewater remain undecided.
Ciattarelli, a Raritan native, began his political career in 1988 as a 26-year-old candidate for the Raritan Borough Council. After narrowly losing that race, he won a council seat in 1989. His career has since included roles as a Somerset County Freeholder and a three-term Assemblyman representing the 16th legislative district.
The endorsements provide a boost to Ciattarelli’s campaign as he seeks to consolidate support among Republicans in his home county. With Somerset County’s deep ties to his political career, Ciattarelli aims to leverage local loyalty as a springboard for his statewide ambitions.
