FLORHAM PARK - A student who identified herself as "queer" had something to take up with Jack Ciattarelli. She said she was troubled by Ciattarelli's criticism of LGBT curriculum in public schools.

It was not the normal type of voter-candidate interaction, but this was not your normal campaign event.

Ciattarelli was speaking to students and guests Wednesday afternoon as part of a Fairleigh Dickinson University series on the gubernatorial election.

The school previously hosted primary candidates. Democrat Mikie Sherrill is scheduled to visit on Oct. 17.

In response to the query, Ciattarelli said the current LGBT curriculum is about inclusivity. But here was the punch line.

He said there are other ways to encourage inclusivity and tolerance in schools.  He suggested LGBT students are not the only group dealing with discrimination.
Ciattarelli identified Muslim, Sikh and Jewish students who face threats in school, and there is not a specific curriculum for any of them.

He said his goal is to have schools throughout the state devote time to preaching tolerance and respect for all.

Peter Wooley, a FDU professor and pollster, then asked Ciattarelli about a national issue - troops sent to American cities.

What would a "Gov. Ciattarelli" think about that?

The Republican candidate cleverly avoided a direct answer, essentially saying it would not be necessary.

He said he will appoint an Attorney General who is tough on crime and who will work with county prosecutors. And that will mean no need for troops or the National Guard.

"When I'm governor, the president won't have to worry about that," he said.

At just about every campaign stop, Ciattarelli talks about "non-violent" crime on the rise. (The violent crime rate in New Jersey is among the lowest in the nation).

Bringing up non-violent crime allows him to talk about car thefts and "flash mobs," one of which occurred in Secaucus over Labor Day weekend.

Guns are related to crime and Ciattarelli got a question on firearms. Does he want to change the state's tough gun laws?

Ciattarelli said his answer likely would surprise the questioner.

He said he is satisfied with New Jersey's gun laws and that he does not believe in right-to-carry reciprocity. This would allow someone licensed to carry a gun in one state to also be able to carry it legally in New Jersey.

He also explained the obvious:

"I am not a darling of the NRA."

Ciattarelli had long been considered a moderate, his endorsement by Donald Trump notwithstanding. The gun issue, at least, shows some of those views remain.

As noted, Wooley is a pollster.

A FDU poll two months ago gave Sherrill an 8-point lead.

"That's wrong," Ciattarelli said.

An Emerson poll last week. which had the two candidates tied, sent shock waves across the state.

But a Fox News poll on Tuesday showed Sherrill with an 8-point lead.

Go figure.