Republican Jack Ciattarelli has conceded the race for New Jersey governor to Democratic incumbent Phil Murphy, after a surprise close resu...
Republican Jack Ciattarelli has conceded the race for New Jersey governor to Democratic incumbent Phil Murphy, after a surprise close result that saw the GOP hopeful lose by just three points in the deep blue state.
On Friday, more than a week after election day, the former state assemblyman admitted defeat. He did so after admitting he could not overcome Murphy's three point lead, but added that he plans to run again in four years.
'I called Gov. Murphy earlier today and congratulated him on his reelection and wished him well,' Ciattarelli said during a news conference packed with supporters in his home town of Raritan, where he said his grandparents from Italy immigrated 100 years ago.
On Friday, more than a week after election day, Republican Jack Ciattarelli (pictured) conceded after admitting he could not overcome Democratic incumbent Phil Murphy's lead
Phil Murphy (pictured) won reelection after delivering on a number of progressive policies, including higher taxes on the rich and raising the minimum wage
With this win, Murphy became the first Democratic governor in 44 years to win reelection, but the three point margin with Ciattarelli was much closer than public polls indicated the contest would be in a state where Democrats have 1 million more registered voters, AP reported.
Ciattarelli refused to throw in the towel after election results showed him with a lead after polls closed November 2.
But the lead soon evaporated after officials counted mail-in ballots that trended heavily Democratic.
In his concession speech Ciattarelli did not criticize the election results, keeping his earlier promise to have confidence results would be fair no matter the outcome.
In his concession speech Ciattarelli did not criticize the election results, keeping his earlier promise to have confidence results would be fair even if he lost
Murphy's three point margin with Ciattarelli was much closer than public polls indicated the contest would be in New Jersey, where Democrats have 1 million more registered voters
Despite losing two gubernatorial races in a row, Ciattarelli said he is not discouraged and when asked whether he would run again in 2025, he responded: 'That's exactly my plan.'
Ciattarelli told reporters on Friday lowering the state's property taxes - among the highest in the country at an average of more than $9,000 a year - and reducing the size of state government remain his top priorities.
Murphy won reelection after delivering on a number of progressive policies, including higher taxes on the rich, raising the minimum wage and signing legislation requiring paid sick leave.
'Over the next four years, we will govern as we have since day one - committed to building a stronger and fairer New Jersey from the middle out and the bottom up,' Murphy said in a statement Friday where he acknowledged Ciattarelli's concession.
'I thank the Assemblyman, his wife Melinda, and his family for a spirited campaign and their commitment to public service,' Murphy said.
Murphy's narrow victory kept election night from being a total disaster for Democrats, who lost big in Virginia.
Despite campaigning from some of the biggest names on the left, Republican Glenn Youngkin pulled off a stunning upset to beat Democrat Terry McAuliffe.
With his victory, 54-year-old Youngkin became the state's first red Governor since 2009.
Youngkin was able to secure a victory despite Biden winning Virginia by 10 points in the presidential election just a year ago. Anger over the teaching of critical race theory-inspired lessons in Virginia public schools is credited with pushing his campaign over the line.
Youngkin is a political newcomer and wealthy businessman who previously served as CEO of the Carlyle Group, a private equity firm. Though he won Trump's endorsement, Youngkin has distanced himself from the former president, who faired poorly in Virginia in 2020.
Trump held an 11th-hour tele-rally for the Virginia race, but Youngkin said he did not participate.
Youngkin's personal wealth launched him into the spotlight, as he provided $5.5 million to his own campaign. The Republican has sought to mobilize voters by tying the race to school choice and education issues, holding Parents Matter rallies where he hit out against teachings like critical race theory.
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