A super PAC backed by the Democratic Governors Association launched its first ad of the general election cycle, accusing Republican gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli of wanting to be the “Trump of Trenton.”
The ad, which comes in 30-second and 15-second versions, draws on the DGA’s $20 million in TV ad reservations that the group has prepared to back Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) for governor. The spot is also running on digital.
Greater Garden State, the DGA-backed super PAC, does not necessarily have to use the $20 million in ad reservations, but the group has nonetheless locked up the time in a fall that will be busy between the New Jersey governor’s race and the New York City mayoral race.
The spot unsurprisingly attacks Ciattarelli’s recent embrace of President Donald Trump. Ciattarelli sought the president’s support during the GOP primary, and it paid off with an endorsement from the country’s most influential Republican.
The ad includes a short audio clip of a June rally in Bergen County, during which Ciattarelli discusses a 10% sales tax. A research document published on Sherrill’s website includes the full transcript of those remarks, which came after an attendee asked if he would consider eliminating the state income tax and recouping those funds with an increase in the sales tax. In discussing Tennessee’s sales tax, which reaches close to 10% in some areas, Ciattarelli said he would look at “every option” but did not commit to an increase in sales tax.
“I just came back from Tennessee not too long ago. We were on a fundraising trip there, and Tennessee has no income tax. What Tennessee has is a 10% sales tax on everything, including food and clothing,” Ciattarelli said, according to the transcript. “The philosophy has always been in this state [that] we have like a 7% sales tax just to round off the numbers, but there’s no sales tax on necessities of life, food, and clothing. I will work with the New Jersey State Society, CPAs. We’re going to look at what other states do. And every option is on the table.”
Ciattarelli’s campaign launched its first ad of the general election cycle on Tuesday.
Script: (Narrator) “100% MAGA. That’s what Donald Trump calls Jack Ciattarelli. Because Ciattarelli wants to be the Trump of Trenton.” (Ciattarelli in interview) “I support the president wholeheartedly, and my job is to support him.” (Narrator) “Ciattarelli supported Trump’s Medicaid cuts, targeting 300,000 in Jersey. And now, he’s talking about a 10% sales tax.” (Ciattarelli in interview) “A 10% sales tax on everything, including food and clothing.” (Narrator) “Jack Ciattarelli. 100% MAGA, 100% wrong for New Jersey.”
