Edison, NJ – Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli made a direct appeal to voters in Middlesex County today, launching his early voting campaign from the bustling Edison Diner. The appearance coincided with accusations of voter fraud and election irregularities in the Democratic primary by local mayoral candidate Lav Patel, a contentious backdrop that Ciattarelli did not acknowledge, staying focused on his own campaign’s momentum.
In an interview with Newsmax at the diner, Ciattarelli’s stop in Edison emphasized the critical importance of Middlesex County to his primary strategy. “There’s this national narrative that New Jersey is a deep blue state, it’s not when it comes to, particlularly gubernatorial elections. We’ve won 6 of the last 11, that’s better than 50% last time I checked. We’re gonna win this one, we’re going 7 for 12” said Ciattarelli while being interviewed live on Newsmax inside the Edison Diner.
Middlesex County has historically been a challenging terrain for Republicans, often serving as a Democratic stronghold. However, Ciattarelli’s decision to prioritize the county, and particularly Edison, highlights his belief that a strong showing here is crucial for his path to the nomination. His campaign aims to capitalize on any local disaffection, particularly in light of the recent Democratic primary controversies.
The accusations of voter fraud and election irregularities leveled by Democratic Mayoral candidate Lav Patel on the opening day of early voting have added a layer of intrigue to the current political landscape in Edison. While Ciattarelli did not directly comment on the specifics of Patel’s claims, his presence on the opening day of early voting, amidst such allegations, implicitly drew a contrast with the internal struggles of the opposing party.
“It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces at our here at the Edison Diner. As I’ve said before, and as many of you know, I’ve had the privilege of meeting Jack over the years, and I hold him in the highest regard. He is, without a doubt, the most qualified and trustworthy individual to truly do the most good for New Jersey” said Edison Republican mayoral candidate Gloria Dittman. “We face numerous challenges across our township and state, and I have every confidence that Jack will make the right decisions and take decisive action to address them. Like so many of you, I was born and raised right here in New Jersey; this state is my home, my life. Jack shares that same deep-seated love for our state, and that’s precisely what we need in leadership—someone who genuinely loves New Jersey and is committed to doing the right thing for all of us.”
Ciattarelli’s focus on grassroots campaigning and direct engagement with voters in key areas like Edison signals a determined effort to mobilize support and build a robust base in the lead-up to the Republican primary.
