All five Monmouth County commissioners have endorsed Jack Ciattarelli for governor in next year’s Republican primary, providing a critical boost in a county with significant political sway in New Jersey. The endorsements from Commissioners Mike Arnone, Ross Licitra, Erik Anderson, Nick DiRocco, and Sue Kiley mark a united front for the GOP candidate.

Monmouth County, home to 153,139 registered Republicans (31.1% of voters), has long played a pivotal role in state and federal elections. Known for its slight Republican lean, the county consistently elects Republican officials at the county level, including all five commissioners and constitutional officers. However, Democrats maintain a competitive edge, with registered Democrats accounting for 28.6% of voters and unaffiliated voters making up the largest share at 39.2%.

“Here in Monmouth County, we’ve delivered for our residents by keeping taxes low, protecting our Jersey Shore, and supporting law enforcement,” said Arnone, the director of the Board of County Commissioners. “Jack Ciattarelli shares our vision and has the bold plans we need to make New Jersey more affordable and improve our quality of life.”

Historically, Monmouth County leans Republican in presidential elections, although Joe Biden came closer to winning the county in 2020 than any Democrat since Al Gore in 2000 and Bill Clinton in 1996. Despite this, Republican candidates have consistently carried Monmouth by small but reliable margins, including Donald Trump in both 2016 and 2020. In the 2021 gubernatorial election, Ciattarelli won Monmouth decisively in the primary and carried it by over 18 points in the general election against Gov. Phil Murphy.

Ciattarelli’s campaign is expected to benefit significantly from Monmouth County’s support as he focuses on cutting property taxes, improving NJ Transit, and addressing suburban overdevelopment. With the county’s strategic importance in Republican politics, these endorsements could solidify his position as the frontrunner in the race.