Bill Spadea isn’t falling in line.
The former Republican gubernatorial candidate made it clear this week he doesn’t intend to endorse Jack Ciattarelli in November — and he’s not shy about why.
“I’m not going to pretend I support a candidate I’ve always believed — and still believe — is wrong for New Jersey,” Spadea said in advance of his return to his morning drive time radio show on NJ 101.5 next week. “New Jersey deserves a fighter and a leader, not a placeholder. I won’t rubber-stamp more of the same, and I certainly won’t help sell voters on a candidate I believe will keep us stuck exactly where we are.”
Spadea noted Ciattarelli’s claim that Spadea voters have already united behind his candidacy.
“If that’s true, then he doesn’t need my endorsement,” he said.
Ciattarelli won a 67%-22% victory in the Republican primary after securing the endorsement of President Donald Trump, a move that essentially ended the GOP fight. He faces Democrat Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair), a four-term congresswoman, in a contest that polls have put in the single digits.
Now, Spadea is pledging to spend his time “standing up for the people of this state — not propping up the political machine.”
“I’ll continue fighting for local candidates, businesses, families, and community leaders who are doing the real work to save this state,” Spadea stated. “Now, as I return to the largest microphone in our great state, know this: My fight for you is only beginning.”
Spadea said he’s spent the last two months spending time with his wife, Jodi, and visiting his son in California and his daughter in London, calling it “a real blessing to have that kind of downtime after the battles of the past few years.
On Tuesday morning, he’ll return to the airwaves and resume the job he’s held for the last decade.
Now he says he’s ready for any fight he needs to have.
“Know this. I am diggin’ in and will have your back,” said Spadea. “As I have said for years and reiterated in my election night speech, as long as I have a mic, you will have a voice.”
