Ramaswamy campaigns for Ciattarelli in aggressive New Jersey governor race

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EXCLUSIVE - SADDLE BROOK, N.J. - GOP gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy of Ohio was a good distance from residence on Wednesday night time, as he briefly left his personal race to assist one other Republican operating for governor.

However Ramaswamy's marketing campaign path cease in New Jersey's aggressive and flamable gubernatorial election, the place he teamed up with GOP nominee Jack Ciattarelli at a packed diner stuffed with supporters, may pay dividends subsequent yr in his personal race again residence.

New Jersey and Virginia are the one two states to carry gubernatorial showdowns within the yr after a presidential election, and the contests historically seize outsized consideration and are seen as political barometers forward of the next yr's midterm elections.

And this yr, they're being seen to a big diploma as poll field referendums on President Donald Trump' s unprecedented second-term agenda.

CIATTARELLI WELCOMES TRUMP'S HELP IN BATTLE FOR NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR

<source media="(max-width: 767px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/343/192/vivek-ramaswamy-jack-ciattarelli-saddle-brook-new-jersey-oct.-15-2025.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/686/384/vivek-ramaswamy-jack-ciattarelli-saddle-brook-new-jersey-oct.-15-2025.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="192" width="343"><source media="(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/672/378/vivek-ramaswamy-jack-ciattarelli-saddle-brook-new-jersey-oct.-15-2025.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/1344/756/vivek-ramaswamy-jack-ciattarelli-saddle-brook-new-jersey-oct.-15-2025.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="378" width="672"><source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/931/523/vivek-ramaswamy-jack-ciattarelli-saddle-brook-new-jersey-oct.-15-2025.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/1862/1046/vivek-ramaswamy-jack-ciattarelli-saddle-brook-new-jersey-oct.-15-2025.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="523" width="931"><source media="(min-width: 1280px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/720/405/vivek-ramaswamy-jack-ciattarelli-saddle-brook-new-jersey-oct.-15-2025.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/1440/810/vivek-ramaswamy-jack-ciattarelli-saddle-brook-new-jersey-oct.-15-2025.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="405" width="720"> Republican gubernatorial candidate in Ohio Vivek Ramaswamy headlines a marketing campaign occasion for New Jersey GOP nominee for governor Jack Ciattarelli on Oct. 15, 2025 in Saddle Brook, N.J. (Paul Steinhauser - Fox Information)

Pointing to New Jersey and Virginia, Ramaswamy mentioned in an unique interview with Fox Information Digital that GOP victories in both elections would "set the desk for even greater and extra decisive victories, hopefully in locations like Ohio subsequent yr."

Ramaswamy arrived in New Jersey hours after the newest ballot within the governor's race indicated Ciattarelli narrowing the hole with Rep. Mikie Sherrill, the Democratic Celebration nominee within the race to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy.

The MAGA world rock star's cease in New Jersey may assist Ciattarelli energize many within the social gathering's base - low propensity voters who typically skip casting ballots in non-presidential election years.

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"If you wish to convey down prices on this state, again Jack," Ramaswamy advised the boisterous crowd. "If you wish to make New Jersey nice once more, again Jack. We're prepared, Jack, for change. This state is hungry for it."

And Ramaswamy, the multimillionaire biotech entrepreneur and conservative commentator who pushed an "America First 2.0" platform as he ran for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination earlier than ending his bid and changing into one in every of Trump's prime supporters and surrogates, advised Ciattarelli, "We're getting in Ohio subsequent yr, however you’ve received to pave the trail this yr. We’re relying on you."

<source media="(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/672/378/jack-ciattarelli-saddle-brook-new-jersey-oct.-15-2025.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/1344/756/jack-ciattarelli-saddle-brook-new-jersey-oct.-15-2025.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="378" width="672"><source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/931/523/jack-ciattarelli-saddle-brook-new-jersey-oct.-15-2025.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/1862/1046/jack-ciattarelli-saddle-brook-new-jersey-oct.-15-2025.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="523" width="931"> Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican nominee for governor in New Jersey, speaks to a raucous crowd of supporters at a diner in Saddle Brook, N.J., on Oct. 15, 2025 (Paul Steinhauser/Fox Information)

Ramaswamy, who's been endorsed by Trump, is the one main Republican candidate proper now within the 2026 race to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Mike DeWine.

Former Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan, who spent 20 years representing a big swath of northeastern Ohio , together with Akron and Youngstown, is more likely to launch a gubernatorial marketing campaign within the coming days. Ryan, his social gathering's Senate nominee in Ohio's 2022 election, would grow to be the second main Democrat within the 2026 gubernatorial race, becoming a member of former state Well being Director Amy Acton.

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"It does not matter who we're operating in opposition to," Ramaswamy mentioned when requested what a Ryan candidacy would imply to him. "The fantastic thing about our aspect of this election in Ohio is we're extra united than we have ever been as a Republican Celebration. I am operating unopposed within the Republican main. However much more importantly, now we have widespread labor help in Ohio. That is unprecedented."

<source media="(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/672/378/vivek-ramaswamy-saddle-brook-new-jersey-oct.-15-2025.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/1344/756/vivek-ramaswamy-saddle-brook-new-jersey-oct.-15-2025.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="378" width="672"><source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/931/523/vivek-ramaswamy-saddle-brook-new-jersey-oct.-15-2025.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/1862/1046/vivek-ramaswamy-saddle-brook-new-jersey-oct.-15-2025.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="523" width="931"> Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy groups up with New Jersey GOP nominee for governor Jack Ciattarelli at a marketing campaign cease in Saddle Brook, N.J., on Oct. 15, 2025 (Paul Steinhauser - Fox Information)

Ramaswamy, as he spoke on the Ciattarelli occasion in New Jersey, which included an overflow crowd of a few hundred individuals exterior the diner, acquired encouragement to make one other White Home run down the highway.

"I am 100% centered on Ohio," Ramaswamy advised Fox Information Digital. "You may't make long-run plans. Life by no means goes based on your plan."

However he added, "We're gonna do our half in Ohio, and that is my subsequent step for the way we save the nation."

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Ramaswamy's cease in New Jersey, with lower than three weeks till Election Day, got here hours after a number of sources confirmed to Fox Information that Trump will maintain tele-rallies with Ciattarelli.

In what’s anticipated to be a low-turnout election, Trump’s backing may show essential for Ciattarelli, who’s making his third run for governor after narrowly shedding to Murphy 4 years in the past.

"There's clearly a complete lot of individuals throughout the state of New Jersey which can be happy with the job the president's doing," Ciattarelli mentioned earlier Wednesday in an unique Fox Information Digital interview.

Pointing to the president's push to briefly halt wind farms off the Jersey Shore, his vow to kill New York's congestion pricing, tax cuts, deductions, and credit within the GOP's large home coverage measure, and his efforts to safe the nation's southern border, Ciattarelli mentioned that individuals "are more than happy with the president, what he is executed for New Jersey."

Trump endorsed Ciattarelli earlier this yr within the GOP gubernatorial nomination race. And the president headlined a tele-rally for Ciattarelli forward of the June main.

Whereas Trump is not on the poll, he is loomed massive over the New Jersey gubernatorial election.

Eventually week's second and closing debate, Sherrill charged that her GOP rival had "proven zero indicators of standing as much as this president. In truth, the president himself referred to as Jack 100% MAGA, and he is proven each signal of being that."

New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial nominee Rep. Mikie Sherrill, proper, and Republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli, on the stage moments at first of their second and closing debate, on Oct. 8, 2025, in New Brunswick, N.J. (Paul Steinhauser/Fox Information Digital)

Requested whether or not he thought of himself a part of the MAGA motion, Ciattarelli mentioned he was "a part of a New Jersey motion."

When requested to grade the president's efficiency thus far throughout his second time period, Ciattarelli mentioned, "I would definitely give the president an A. I feel he is proper about the whole lot that he is doing."

"I feel that tells us all we have to find out about who Jack Ciattarelli's supporting. I give him an F proper now," Sherrill responded, as she pointed to New Jersey's excessive value of residing.

<source media="(max-width: 767px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/343/192/mikie-sherrill-post-debate-newser-new-brunswick-new-jersey-oct-8-2025.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/686/384/mikie-sherrill-post-debate-newser-new-brunswick-new-jersey-oct-8-2025.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="192" width="343"><source media="(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/672/378/mikie-sherrill-post-debate-newser-new-brunswick-new-jersey-oct-8-2025.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/1344/756/mikie-sherrill-post-debate-newser-new-brunswick-new-jersey-oct-8-2025.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="378" width="672"><source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/931/523/mikie-sherrill-post-debate-newser-new-brunswick-new-jersey-oct-8-2025.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/1862/1046/mikie-sherrill-post-debate-newser-new-brunswick-new-jersey-oct-8-2025.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="523" width="931"><source media="(min-width: 1280px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/720/405/mikie-sherrill-post-debate-newser-new-brunswick-new-jersey-oct-8-2025.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/1440/810/mikie-sherrill-post-debate-newser-new-brunswick-new-jersey-oct-8-2025.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="405" width="720"> Rep. Mikie Sherrill, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee in New Jersey, takes questions from reporters following a debate on Oct. 8, 2025, in New Brunswick, N.J. (Paul Steinhauser/Fox Information)

Whereas Democrats have lengthy dominated federal and state legislative elections in blue-leaning New Jersey, Republicans are very aggressive in gubernatorial contests, successful 5 out of the previous 10 elections.

And Trump made main positive aspects in New Jersey in final yr's presidential election, shedding the state by solely six share factors, a serious enchancment over his 16-point deficit 4 years earlier.

Ciattarelli mentioned in a Fox Information Digital interview final month that he was "actually happy that the White Home has supplied to assist us in any approach that we see match," and that he and his marketing campaign have been "in fixed communication with the White Home about other ways they can assist."

And whereas there isn't any indication, as of now, that Trump will be part of Ciattarelli in particular person in New Jersey, marketing campaign strategist Chris Russell advised Fox Information, "We're appreciative of all the assistance we have acquired from the president and his crew thus far, and grateful for any help they supply down the stretch."

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However the Democratic Nationwide Committee (DNC), in a launch after phrase of the Trump tele-rally was first reported by Axios, claimed that Ciattarelli was "determined."

"It’s clear that this election comes down to 1 main fact: Jack is 100% for Trump, whereas Mikie Sherrill is 100% for New Jersey," DNC Deputy Communications Director Abhi Rahman mentioned in a press release.

Paul Steinhauser is a politics reporter primarily based within the swing state of New Hampshire. He covers the marketing campaign path from coast to coast."