Ciattarelli Seeks Support From Metuchen Small Business Owners

METUCHEN, NJ — Jack Ciattarelli has a working knowledge of what it takes to keep a small business afloat in difficult times.

Now, just a few months after the former New Jersey Assemblyman announced he will make another run at the Governor’s office, the Republican candidate is connecting with local business owners asking them to give him a chance to fix the state’s problems.

Ciattarelli did a walking tour of Metuchen on Tuesday. During a visit that lasted just over 90 minutes, Ciattarelli made stops at five Main Street businesses including Bagel Pantry, Brewed Awakening, Mangia Toscano, Runner’s High and Hailey’s Harp Pub, according to a schedule announced by his campaign.

A campaign spokesperson told Patch in an email that Ciattarelli is seeking local support from business owners after he said that one in three small businesses across the state have been forced to close. The closings have come during a year when the ongoing coronavirus pandemic took a toll on small businesses.

He also portrayed himself as a candidate who is willing to roll up his sleeves and go to work for New Jersey. Ciattarelli is also sharing a message that jobs are fleeing the state at a rapid pace because of the bad business environment that has been created under Gov. Phil Murphy.

Ciattarelli conducted the walking tour with Vihal Patel, who is a candidate for the state senate in New Jersey’s legislative 18th District.

The visit came a day after Ciattarelli took Murphy to task for not ending the state takeover at Atlantic City as he promised when he sought office five years ago. Now, Ciattarelli said Murphy is looking to extend the takeover.

“Governor Murphy sits high on a hill in his multi-million dollar mansion in North Jersey claiming he knows how to best run Atlantic City,” Ciattarelli said in a news release Monday. “It's time to end this ridiculous takeover and restore local control. Let the elected officials in Atlantic City and Atlantic County figure out how to best move this city forward."