In a signal of what the gubernatorial campaign could look like over the next 353 days, Republican Jack Ciattarelli called on Democrats to disavow energy policies championed by Gov. Phil Murphy.
Ciattarelli, who came close to unseating Murphy in 2021, disavowed Murphy’s “pie-in-the-sky” energy policies and proposals. Ciattarelli, for example, pointed to offshore wind projects, which played a central role in the GOP’s 2023 legislative campaigns. The former assemblyman also pledged to end a rule that would bar the sale of gasoline-powered cars in the Garden State by 2035.
Ciatarrelli addressed the letter to Democratic gubernatorial candidates: Rep. Josh Gottheimer, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, former Senate President Steve Sweeney, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, and New Jersey Education Association Sean Spiller. Gottheimer and Sherrill haven’t officially launched their bids for governor, but are expected to over the next week.
“I can tell you with certainty that if I am elected next November, EV mandates and offshore wind projects are done in New Jersey,” the Republican wrote. “We will instead pursue an all-of-the-above energy policy that includes clean natural gas, nuclear, solar, and other alternative energies once the market deems that they are both affordable and reliable.”
Ciattarelli expressly challenged the Democratic candidates to oppose the plans, which he said would put New Jerseyans out of jobs and worsen unaffordability.
“Today, I am challenging all of you to come to the same conclusion and publicly pledge that you will not seek to continue Governor Murphy’s energy policies if elected, and you will end state support for EV mandates and offshore wind,” Ciattarelli wrote.