CHESTER - Jack Ciattarelli says he knows what his Democratic opponent will do this fall - no matter who it is.

Bring up Donald Trump.

To that, Ciattarelli said:

"What does Donald Trump have to do with property taxes?"

Ciattarelli made that point during a "meet and greet" Sunday at Alstede Farms, a well-known, local attraction. (If politics was not really your thing, a sign boasted of "fresh asparagus" for sale).

Some may note that the $10,000 cap on state and local tax deductions - a legacy of the 2017 Trump tax plan - has something to do with property taxes.

Nonetheless, Ciattarelli's argument is that he wants the gubernatorial race to be about New Jersey issues. In fact, he would like it to be about Phil Murphy.

"You want four more years of Phil Murphy, vote for that person (the Democratic candidate)," he said.

Murphy's approval ratings are not terrible, but, clearly, Ciattarelli is banking on some sort of Murphy fatigue.

As is the norm, Ciattarelli acts like he already is the nominee.

He talked today - again - about winning Assembly seats and maybe even taking control of the lower chamber. The Senate is not up this year.

One of the Republican Assembly members, Dawn Fantasia, was on hand. She represents LD-24, which covers Sussex and western Morris counties.
"I've been with Jack since the beginning," she said, praising Ciattarelli for understanding the more rural parts of the state.

Fantasia said many Democrats in Trenton don't respect the state's farming communities.

The event drew a number of local mayors and council members, many of whom complained about state mandates and the difficulty of dealing with the state bureaucracy.

Ciattarelli said he understands - and will listen. He said one of his advantages as a candidate is that he has served as a local official - first as a councilman and then as a "freeholder."

Broadly speaking, however, mayors have been griping about the state bureaucracy for decades and nothing seems to change, regardless of who the governor is.

Ciattarelli did not speak all that much about his two main opponents - Bill Spadea and Jon Bramnick.

He took solace in polls that put him well ahead five weeks in advance of the June 10 primary.

"We're in a very commanding position in the primary and we're going to maintain it," Ciattarelli projected.