New Jersey GOP gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli got the “surprise of a lifetime” Monday when his son, Capt. Jake Ciattarelli, flew home after serving eight months overseas just in time for Election Day.
“The surprise of a lifetime,” Ciattarelli wrote on X. “Grateful to have all four kids home and feeling great heading into Election Day!”
Ciattarelli couldn’t believe his eyes when his son walked into the GOP campaign event at a tavern in New Jersey. In the video posted on X, Ciattarelli put his hands over his head in shock after seeing his son, who is proudly serving in the U.S. Army in Kuwait. The crowd responded with chants of “USA!”
The surprise of a lifetime! 🇺🇸
Army Captain son Jake came home from eight months overseas to join us as we bring it home this Election Day. Im so proud of him and his service. Grateful to have all four of kids home and feeling great heading into Election Day! pic.twitter.com/g7iM7xGwEa— Jack Ciattarelli (@Jack4NJ) November 3, 2025
The heart-warming homecoming happened in Murph’s Tavern in Totowa, New Jersey. Ciattarelli told his supporters that his son probably didn’t remember to mail in an absentee ballot, so he flew across the world to make sure his voice was heard.
“He’s been so busy defending our nation, he probably forgot to do his vote by mail ballot,” Ciattarelli quipped. “He’s here to vote!”
Ciattarelli is running against Democrat Mikie Sherrill for the New Jersey governor’s seat.
Ciattarelli lost to Phil Murphy in the 2021 New Jersey governor race. In a recent Quinnipiac poll, Sherrill is leading Ciattarelli 51% to 43%.
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In an interview with Cabot Phillips on Morning Wire that aired on Sunday, Ciattarelli said people want change across New Jersey.
“They are very frustrated with Phil Murphy’s failed policies,” Ciattarelli said.
Ciattarelli added that he wants to bring back law and order to the state.
“Let’s make it clear, anyone who engages in criminal activity in New Jersey, no matter what it is there’s going to be a consequence,” Ciattarelli said. “We are going to have public safety here in New Jersey.”
And the GOP nominee made it clear there will be no sanctuary cities under his leadership.
“We will not be a sanctuary state,” Ciattarelli said. “I’m reversing that policy on day one.”
Ciattarelli also told Morning Wire that he would bring change to New Jersey schools by getting rid of the LGBTQ+ curriculum that the current administration allows.
“You will get a whole new state board of education when I’m governor,” Ciattarelli said.
Ciattarelli also said New Jersey is over the tax increases, the housing market, and the state’s overspending, just to name a few issues. He added that people are getting hit in their pocketbook, especially when it comes to electric bills, and he plans to attack head-on.
The New Jersey governor election is on November 4, 2025. The polls open at 6 a.m. ET Tuesday.
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