Morning Wire: "Flipping New Jersey Red: Jack Ciattarelli’s Final Pitch"

Podcast: Morning Wire
Host: Daily Wire (Cabot Phillips)
Guest: Jack Ciattarelli (Republican candidate for Governor of New Jersey)
Date: November 2, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips in an in-depth interview with Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican candidate vying to flip New Jersey’s traditionally blue governor’s seat. With the election only days away, Ciattarelli outlines his platform, differences with Democratic opponent Mikey Sherrill, and why he believes frustration with the current administration has created a pathway for change. The conversation covers issues such as taxes, public safety, educational reform, energy policy, his relationship with Donald Trump, and responses to controversies around his opponent.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Changing Political Landscape in New Jersey

• Polling Shift & Reasons for Momentum

  • Four months prior, Ciattarelli was trailing by over 20 points. Now, "essentially tied in every poll" (01:43).

  • He attributes the shift to widespread frustration with Governor Phil Murphy's policies: rising taxes, spending increase, public safety concerns, and faltering education.

    “Our state budget's gone from 36 billion to almost 60 billion. A 64% increase... We've slipped from 2 to 12 on national report card… These are all things that people are really pissed off about. And when they're pissed, they want change.”
    — Jack Ciattarelli ([02:08])

2. Ciattarelli’s Persona and Voter Connection

• Local Identity vs. Outsider Narrative

  • Emphasizes his "Jersey guy" roots versus opponent’s outsider status, constant engagement with constituents ("600+ diners," 564 towns).

    “Jersey is like a Jersey guy. They particularly like a hardworking guy.”
    — Jack Ciattarelli ([03:06])

3. Top Issues for New Jersey Voters

• Pocketbook Concerns & Energy Policy

  • Rising electricity bills is the #1 issue he hears.

  • Criticizes the state's bet on wind power, closure of reliable energy plants, and promises to withdraw from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (Reggie) to reduce costs.

    "The Jersey Shore is kind of Sankro sank here. People don’t want the wind farms, not to mention they’re not a reliable source of energy, nor are they cost effective.”
    — Jack Ciattarelli ([03:51])

4. Relationship with Donald Trump and Political Positioning

• Defining the Campaign as a New Jersey Movement

  • Though endorsed by Trump and called “all in on the MAGA movement,” Ciattarelli pivots to focus squarely on local issues.

    “What does Donald Trump have to do with our property taxes? What does he have to do with public safety in this state?...I think that you can be friends with the president and support his policies while making it clear that you’re all about fixing New Jersey.”
    — Jack Ciattarelli ([05:25])

5. Law & Order: Sanctuary Policies and Cashless Bail

• Reversing Sanctuary State/City Policies

  • Vows executive action on day one to end sanctuary status and enable cooperation with federal agencies like ICE, DEA, and ATF.

    “We will not be a sanctuary state. I’m reversing that policy on day one...I would support 100% whatever it is that mayor and police chief decide to do to keep their community safe.”
    — Jack Ciattarelli ([07:50])

• Cashless Bail Critique

  • Attacks current bail policies for enabling repeat offenders.

    “Arrest, release, repeat is real. And it’s demoralizing to our local cops to have to arrest the same person over and over again because they keep getting let go because of cashless bail.”
    — Jack Ciattarelli ([08:19])

6. Education Reform and the LGBTQ Curriculum

• Removing LGBTQ Curriculum from Public Schools

  • Plans to appoint an entirely new state Board of Education and erase LGBTQ-specific curriculum.

    “How about if we just have a curriculum that speaks to diversity, since we’re the most diverse state in the country and that our children are to love and respect their neighbors, no matter how different they may be from oneself. Teach them the Golden Rule.”
    — Jack Ciattarelli ([09:07])

• Medical Interventions for Minors

  • Open to banning transgender surgeries/hormones for minors, citing emerging literature on regret and supporting waiting until adulthood for irreversible changes.

    “I don’t think we should be having surgeries performed that alters somebody’s biology...until they’re of adult, adult age.”
    — Jack Ciattarelli ([10:26])

7. Opponent Critiques and Controversies

• Charlie Kirk Assassination and Mikey Sherrill’s Response

  • Criticizes Sherrill for inconsistent stances and lack of backbone, especially regarding her vote on a resolution about Charlie Kirk and subsequent statements.

    “She doesn’t have a backbone. She won’t stand up to members of her own party, and she’ll contradict herself constantly because she doesn’t know which way to go.”
    — Jack Ciattarelli ([11:37])

• Stock Trading Allegations Against Mikey Sherrill

  • Accuses her of trading stocks, including defense stocks, while sitting on the House Armed Services Committee, violating federal law, paying fines, and displaying a pattern of conduct that “speaks to character”.

    “She broke federal law. She had to pay fines because of stock trades...People hate it when public servants use their office to enrich themselves, which it seems that’s exactly what she’s done.”
    — Jack Ciattarelli ([14:42])

8. Final Pitch to New Jersey Voters

• Resonance of Specific Solutions & Local Roots

  • Asserts that his campaign’s specificity and New Jersey identity will make the difference.

    “People want to hear specifics. They don’t want generalities. They don’t want platitudes and they certainly don’t want lies. And most of all, what they want is somebody who’s from New Jersey.”
    — Jack Ciattarelli ([15:53])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Political Change:
  “When they're pissed, they want change.” ([02:08])
• On Energy Policy:
  “There’s not a single wind turbine off our Jersey Shore. Nor will there be when I'm governor.” ([03:51])
• On Education:
  “I don't know how it is you promote inclusivity by talking about our differences. I think you better achieve that by talking about our similarities.” ([09:07])
• On Cashless Bail:
  “Arrest, release, repeat is real...demoralizing to our local cops.” ([08:19])
• On Opponent’s Stock Trading:
  “You don't know if you made seven million dollars? ...Even if that’s not illegal, it doesn’t pass the sniff test.” ([14:42])

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------|------------| | Introduction & Polls Overview | 01:36–02:51| | What Sets Ciattarelli Apart | 03:06–03:44| | Top Voter Concerns/Energy | 03:51–04:58| | Relationship to Donald Trump | 05:25–06:24| | Public Safety & Law Enforcement | 06:40–08:42| | Sanctuary & Cashless Bail | 07:50–08:42| | Education & LGBTQ Curriculum | 09:07–10:10| | Medical Transition Laws for Minors | 10:26–11:12| | Charlie Kirk Debate/Controversy | 11:37–12:37| | Democrat Party Spectrum | 13:07–14:17| | Stock Trading Scandal | 14:42–15:42| | Closing Pitch | 15:53–16:10|

Conclusion

This episode offers a comprehensive look at Jack Ciattarelli’s policy positions and electoral strategy as he aims to turn New Jersey red. By focusing on taxation, public safety, local engagement, and educational reform while directly attacking his opponent’s record and positioning himself as a true “Jersey guy,” Ciattarelli pitches himself as the candidate ready to break the mold in a state on the edge of political change.

Listeners are left with a vivid sense of the issues at stake and Ciattarelli’s combative but locally grounded campaign style.