New Jersey Mayor Switches Parties, Citing “Broken” State as Ciattarelli Gains Ground

In a striking political move that underscores shifting dynamics in New Jersey, Garfield Mayor Everett E. Garnto Jr. announced Thursday that he is leaving the Democratic Party and backing Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli. Speaking at a rally in a packed gymnasium in Garfield—located in Bergen County, the state’s fifth-largest municipality—Garnto cited rising dissatisfaction with Democratic leadership in the state.

“The state is broken,” Garnto declared to loud applause. “After more than seven years of Governor Phil Murphy’s policies, we’re left with higher taxes, crushing energy costs, and less safe communities. New Jersey deserves better—and Jack Ciattarelli is the leader who can deliver that change.”

Garnto’s political switch is seen as a significant gain for Ciattarelli, a former Republican state assemblyman, as he prepares for a high-stakes showdown this November against Democratic candidate U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill of Montclair.

A longtime public servant, Garnto served over a decade as president of the Garfield Police Benevolent Association Local 46 and is a former member of the local school board. He also publicly supported Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election—a race in which Trump carried Garfield by approximately nine percentage points. By contrast, Murphy narrowly won the city in his 2021 re-election bid by just three points.

The event was attended by several hundred residents, and the energy inside the venue reflected growing political restlessness among voters in the region.

“I didn’t leave the Democratic Party—it left me,” Garnto said. “I care about public safety, fiscal responsibility, and our community values. The current leadership in Trenton has turned a blind eye to all three.”

Ciattarelli welcomed the endorsement and used the opportunity to highlight similar support from other centrist and moderate Democrats, including Dover Mayor James P. Dodd. These defections, he argued, reflect a broader frustration that transcends party lines.

“This isn’t just about Republicans calling for change,” Ciattarelli told the crowd. “It’s independents. It’s moderates. It’s lifelong Democrats who no longer feel their voices are being heard.”

Despite Democrats holding a sizable edge in voter registration across the state, Ciattarelli believes he can close the gap by appealing to a broad coalition of voters frustrated with the status quo. “People are tired of being overtaxed and underrepresented,” he said.

On the Democratic side, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka—who placed second in the party primary—has thrown his support behind Sherrill, setting up a more unified Democratic front. However, on the Republican side, Ciattarelli is still seeking support from GOP primary runner-up and radio host Bill Spadea, who has yet to endorse him.

When asked about the influence of endorsements on the race, Ciattarelli was pragmatic. “Endorsements are great, but at the end of the day, it’s about what a candidate does,” he said. “I spend every day traveling the state, meeting people, listening to their concerns, and making the case for a better New Jersey.”

Garnto’s defection and endorsement come amid broader signs of Republican momentum in a state long considered a Democratic stronghold. A recent poll by Emerson College, Pix 11, and The Hill revealed that President Trump now holds the same approval rating in New Jersey as Governor Murphy—47%—marking a significant shift from past years.

Murphy’s approval rating in the same poll came in at 40%, with 45% disapproving and 15% unsure. The results signal growing unease among New Jersey voters with the current Democratic leadership at both the state and federal levels.

Pollster Jason Corley of Quantus Insights noted the shift was not a one-off event, but part of a broader trend. “This isn’t just about polls. It’s about people feeling left behind,” Corley said. “Compared to 2020, Trump has made massive gains in New Jersey—an 18-point net swing. That kind of shift speaks volumes.”

In the 2024 presidential race, Trump lost New Jersey to Kamala Harris by only 5.9 points—a dramatic improvement from his 14-point loss to Hillary Clinton in 2016. The swing was among the largest in the country, second only to neighboring New York.

“This wasn’t a flash in the pan,” Corley continued. “Trump flipped counties once considered safe territory for Democrats: Gloucester, Passaic, Atlantic, Cumberland, and even Morris. What we’re seeing is a realignment—a grassroots movement that’s changing the political landscape in places no one thought possible.”

As the general election approaches, both parties will need to grapple with an electorate in flux. For Ciattarelli and his growing list of bipartisan supporters, the message is clear: New Jersey is ready for a political shake-up.