MORRISTOWN - Polls say Jack Ciattarelli has the Republican gubernatorial nomination wrapped up, but some people just don't believe it.

About 250 to 300 of them jammed into the basement of a local bar Thursday night to hear someone who definitely does not think the primary is over - Bill Spadea.

A few warm-up speakers revved up the crowd with rhetoric common to Spadea events. One said the only thing he hates more than "Communist Democrats" are "RINO Republicans."

"Not credible," Spadea said of polling that puts him behind Ciattarelli. He said some of the polling has been done by "a clown" who's been wrong in the past.

Spadea prides himself on being an anti-establishment guy. A constant theme is that New Jersey is in trouble because of "woke Democrats" and "weak Republicans."

He has been a long-time Ciattarelli critic, saying he should have won the 2021 gubernatorial race. Ciattarellli lost by about 3 points, a seemingly good showing for a Republican in New Jersey.

Not to Spadea, who contends the race was not close at all.

"My opponent has already lost twice. People know a fraud when they see it." he said. The reference was to 2017 when Ciattarelli ran unsuccessfully in that year's primary.

This year, he said Republicans face a choice between a candidate controlled by lawyers and special interests and a man with vision and courage.

Spadea offered a  "vision" of what he would do immediately as governor.

The list included eliminating "sanctuary cities," getting rid of all aspects of DEI and rescinding bail reform, adding, "Let them rot."

A campaign rally is not the time for contemplation or serious thought. Nonetheless, it is worth mentioning that bail reform was done under a Republican governor - Chris Christie - and that it helps people who have been arrested, but not convicted, of generally speaking, minor offenses. Still, it has become a huge GOP talking point in this campaign.

The real significance of the event was not necessarily what Spadea said, but that a large crowd turned out to cheer him on. This is destined to be a low turnout election, so voter engagement is important.

At his events, Ciattarelli likes thinking ahead. He talks about the fall campaign and the GOP winning a bunch of Assembly seats.

Spadea made a reference to November as well, saying he and his supporters should hope that Ras Baraka is the Democratic nominee.

These men would offer quite the contrast.

Not only that, Spadea said he and Baraka already had an unpleasant encounter at a joint campaign event a while back. Maybe, we'll get more of that.