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Updated Jun 9, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli wins GOP gubernatorial primary in N.J.

Axios
Jack Ciattarelli, Republican candidate for governor of New Jersey, speaks at a rally during the Republican primary election in Somerville, New Jersey, U.S., on Tuesday, June 8
Jack Ciattarelli, Republican candidate for governor of New Jersey, during a rally in Somerville, New Jersey, on Tuesday. Photor: Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Businessman Jack Ciattarelli won the Republican nomination for governor in the New Jersey primary election Tuesday, AP reports.

Of note: The former N.J. Assembly member, who was accused of being a "never Trumper," defeated pastor Phil Rizzo and engineer Hirsh Singh, who were both vocal supporters of former President Trump, AP notes.

  • Ciattarelli called Trump "not fit to be president" and said he didn't vote for him in 2016, according to the Garden State Times.
  • But the former Goldman Sachs executive later told WPMG that Trump had "earned my faith and confidence in the sense that his policies worked for the nation."

What's next: Ciattarelli, who has previously served as U.S. ambassador to Germany, will next face incumbent Gov. Phil Murphy (D) in the gubernatorial election in November.

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

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