Jack Ciattarelli is the heavy favorite to earn the Republican nomination for New Jersey governor less than a month before the primary. Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
The helicopter blades whirred on an Atlantic City helipad as the gubernatorial candidate hopped into the cabin.
It was about 8 p.m. on a chilly Friday in March, and Jack Ciattarelli was scrambling to make his date with destiny. The Republican frontrunner — well-groomed in a black suit and red-striped tie, looking like a member of the Rat Pack — had been at the annual GOP Leadership Summit at Caesars Hotel and Casino.
Learn More
About the Authors
Spencer Kent | Reporting
Spencer Kent is an investigative political reporter for NJ.com and The Star-Ledger. He reported on the COVID-19 pandemic with stories and investigations into the virus’ spread, its impact on New Jersey residents and the toll on front line workers, families of victims and survivors. He won a Toner Prize for Project Extreme, his project investigating political extremism in New Jersey. He was a Livingston Award finalist for his reporting on a South Jersey man’s recovery after contracting a rare and deadly flesh-eating disease that left him a quadruple amputee. He has also won several state journalism awards. Spencer is a Rutgers University graduate and fellow at The USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism.
Brent Johnson | Reporting
Brent Johnson is a Central Jersey (yes, it’s real) native who has spent the last 12 years covering politics for NJ.com, winning multiple journalism awards along the way. Before that, he covered local news and sports, including a stint writing about James Madison University athletics in Virginia. He graduated from Rutgers University and sings in a Jersey alt-rock band, The Clydes.
Related
More coverage from Spencer Kent and Brent Johnson
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Ad Choices