SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — In the first of two televised debates before the election in November, the two men running for governor of New Jersey each tried to paint the other as a political extremist, as they battled over taxes, gun laws, the state's pandemic response, masks and vaccines.
Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, and Jack Ciattarelli, a Republican, both seemed to have a genuine dislike of one another, and the debate, carried on 6 ABC, got a little testy at times.
"I would just say you are also saying on many occasions, 'It's up to you if you want to get vaccinated.' You wouldn’t have masking in school. We know those are the No. 1 and 2 things we have, the weapons we have, that will keep people healthy and alive," Murphy said.
"Vaccinations do keep people alive. I'm vaccinated. I promoted my vaccination. I encourage people to get vaccinated. Do I believe government has a right to tell people they have to take a medicine? No, I don't." Ciattarelli shot back.
They also went to battle over New Jersey’s recreational marijuana laws. Ciattarelli said 400 towns in the state don’t want dispensaries, and Murphy pushed back by sarcastically saying the law passed with a slim vote of 67% to 33%.
The incumbent and his challenger traded barbs on endorsements from police unions.
"Why didn’t the FOP endorse you? So maybe you should answer the question as to why the FOP did not endorse you," Ciattarelli said. "You got it four years ago."
"My friend," replied Murphy, "why do you have no endorsements from law enforcement? Let’s start with that. You claim to be Mr. Law and Order."
And the tension was palpable when, asked a question about including LGBTQ curricula in elementary schools, Ciattarelli said those conversations are best left for the kitchen table, not the classroom.
"Lot going on at your kitchen table," Murphy said, joking.
"Isn’t that the job of a parent?" Ciattarelli said.
Murphy hit hard on Ciattarelli’s appearance at a so-called "Stop the Steal" rally in New Jersey, saying he supports former President Donald Trump and racists.
Ciattarelli was very critical of the response to Tropical Storm Ida, saying the governor didn’t declare a state of emergency until after the storm hit and it wound up being a deadly decision.
The two will meet again for a debate at Rowan University on Oct. 12.