New Jersey Democrat Defects to GOP, Citing Trump’s Influence and Discontent with Murphy
Garfield Mayor Everett E. Garnto Jr. of Bergen County officially announced his departure from the Democratic Party on Thursday, throwing his support behind Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli. Garnto, a longtime Democrat and former president of the Garfield Police Benevolent Association, said his decision stemmed from deep frustration with Governor Phil Murphy’s leadership and the direction of the state.
“The state is broken,” Garnto declared during a rally in Garfield, where hundreds of residents gathered to cheer on Ciattarelli. “New Jerseyans are struggling with rising taxes, skyrocketing utility costs, and worsening public safety. We deserve better.”
Garnto’s defection underscores a growing movement among moderate Democrats dissatisfied with the Murphy administration and increasingly receptive to Republican alternatives. His endorsement adds to a list of high-profile Democrats—including Dover Mayor James P. Dodd and former Assemblyman Jamel Holley—who have voiced similar discontent and crossed party lines in recent months.
Ciattarelli, a former state assemblyman, is preparing to face Democratic U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill in what is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched gubernatorial races in the country. A recent Emerson College poll shows the race deadlocked at 43% apiece, with 11% of voters still undecided—a reflection of New Jersey’s sharp political polarization and growing appetite for change.
Former President Donald Trump, who has formally endorsed Ciattarelli, celebrated Garnto’s defection and the tightening race on Truth Social. He hailed Ciattarelli as “tough on crime and cutting taxes,” while criticizing Sherrill for what he called her “radical progressive agenda.” Sherrill, in turn, has defended her record, emphasizing her commitment to lowering costs for working families and protecting public services.
In a state where Democrats have long held the upper hand, Ciattarelli has sought to broaden his appeal beyond traditional Republican circles. His campaign has made notable inroads with labor groups, including the influential International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825, which represents more than 7,000 members. The union cited Ciattarelli’s support for infrastructure development and openness to natural gas projects as key reasons for its endorsement.
With energy policy, tax reform, and economic transparency dominating the conversation, New Jersey’s 2025 gubernatorial contest is rapidly emerging as a test of whether the GOP can regain ground in one of the nation’s most reliably blue states. For Garnto and others like him, the message is clear: dissatisfaction with the status quo is driving a realignment that could reshape New Jersey politics in the months ahead.