Desperate to Hold Off Insurgent Singh Challenge, Ciattarelli Panders to Radical Anti-Vaxxers for GOP Primary Support

Embattled Ciattarelli Promotes Vocal Anti-Vaxxer Assembly Candidate

TRENTON, NJ — With the Republican Primary for Governor fast approaching, Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli is working hard to fend off an insurgent challenge from fellow MAGA enthusiast Hirsh Singh with a late barrage of spending and attacks. Despite Assemblyman Ciarrarelli’s vast fundraising advantage, public polling puts Singh within striking distance. That has Assemblyman Ciattarelli squirming for Republican support wherever he can, including from radical anti-vaxxers like GOP Assembly candidate Denise Gonzalez who Ciattarelli promoted on his own social media channels yesterday.

Gonzalez is one of New Jersey’s most prominent anti-vaccine voices. She is a founder and treasurer of New Jersey Medical Freedom Advocates, a non-profit group that works to inform the public about “vaccine risk awareness,” as well as a District Leader with the New Jersey Coalition for Vaccination Choice. Ciattarelli’s embrace of the anti-vaxxer movement shows how desperate he is to gain support in the Republican Primary, no matter how it will look in a potential General Election matchup with Governor Phil Murphy.

“Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli is proving every day that he’s willing to pander to the most extreme elements of society to boost his flailing campaign, from Oath Keepers to radical conservatives and now the anti-vaccine movement,” said NJDSC Executive Director Saily Avelenda. “Spreading fear and lies about vaccinations is incredibly irresponsible, particularly as public health officials are working hard to build trust with people who are hesitant about receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. This is par for the course for a career politician like Jack Ciattarelli who is so desperate that he’s willing to align himself with any radical group that he thinks will help him win.”