TOTOWA - The grind of a campaign can still produce special moments.

Jack Ciattarelli scheduled a last minute campaign stop at Murph’s bar, a well known shot and a beer joint on Union Boulevard. The owner is Peter Murphy, the chair of the Passaic County Republican Committee.

It may have been before 11 a.m. on a Monday, but the place was hopping.

“Only Peter Murphy can do this at 10:30 in the morning,” Ciattarelli said to the SRO crowd.

He gave his stump speech, but then Murphy motioned him to come to the end of the bar - near the back door.

Murphy said he had a special guest.

There are a lot of “special guests” in politics.

Not like this.

In walked a young man in an Army uniform. It was Jake Ciattarelli, the candidate’s son. He flew in from his deployment in the Middle East to surprise his father.

His father was visibly moved. You could see him tearing up a bit. And then they embraced.

Like a good candidate, Jack regained his composure and said, “I hope he came to vote.”

Actually, Jake, 28, said he voted by mail a month ago.

“A special moment,” said the candidate. And he swore he had no idea his son would be joining him.

Murphy said he was involved in arranging it, but that he had “a lot of help” from people in the government.

The crowd, which filled the bar area and the sidewalk outside, clearly enjoyed something that was more personal than political.

For at least a few minutes, gas bills, property taxes, and school curriculum, took a back seat to a son surprising his father while he campaigned - on the last day - for governor.