The Republican gubernatorial primary in New Jersey is about one question: Who can out-MAGA who? Don’t take it from us, take it from the candidates who are “racing to prove their MAGA bona fides” to show “who’s the most Trump-loyal candidate in the race.”

A new NBC News report explains how “allegiance to Trump has become a top issue in the race,” although “it’s not clear if Trump will pick a favorite” despite “the jockeying for [his] endorsement.”

Each candidate’s strategy to get picked? Out-MAGA the others. 

NBC reports that Bill “Spadea launched his first TV ad this week, playing audio of Trump’s appearance on his radio show from last May, when Trump told Spadea, ‘You’ve had my back from the beginning’ and criticized [Jack] Ciattarelli for not asking Trump to campaign with him during his unsuccessful run for governor in 2021, which ended in a narrow defeat.”

Remember: While Ciattarelli “now says he is full-blown MAGA” and “declined to say whether he disagreed with any of Trump’s actions in his second term” — including enacting sweeping tariffs that have sent costs sky-high for New Jersey families or dismantling the VA or Social Security Administration that millions of Garden Staters rely on — he did not seek Trump’s endorsement in either of his last two failed bids for governor. It’s empty political posturing to win a crowded MAGA primary.