RARITAN, N.J. (WCBS 880) – Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli conceded Friday in the New Jersey governor’s race after initially holding out and teasing a possible recount.
"I called Gov. Murphy earlier today to congratulate him on his reelection and wished him well on serving the people of New Jersey," Ciattarelli said.
The Associated Press declared Gov. Phil Murphy the winner of the unexpectedly tight race more than a week ago on Nov. 3.
As of Thursday, Murphy had 1,305,152 votes (51.06%) compared to Ciattarelli’s 1,231,204 votes (48.17%), giving the Democratic incumbent a lead of more than 70,000 votes.
Ciattarelli said Friday, "fact is, we almost did win."
"I do not see the result of this election as a failure, on the contrary, I am proud of what our campaign accomplished and proud of how we helped invigorate the Republican Party and mobilize new people who have never been involved before," he added.
Just days ago on Monday, Ciattarelli's campaign showed no plans of conceding in the race amid the possibility of a recount.
"Waiting an additional day or two for all votes to be counted should not be controversial," Ciattarelli's legal counsel Mark Sheridan said. "Let me be clear, no one on this team is alleging fraud or malfeasance, as we have not seen any credible evidence of that."
Murphy's campaign pushed back that same day, saying, “The race is over” and that “Ciattarelli is mathematically eliminated.”
During his address Friday, Ciattarelli defended his 10-day delay in conceding, saying he wanted to wait as the vote counting process continued.
"I hate to lose," he said, "but I'm also someone who believes strongly in our republic and our democratic processes."
However, the former assemblyman made it clear he is not giving up on the governor's mansion, announcing he has plans to run again in 2025.
"I have no interest in going to Washington,” Ciattarelli said. "New Jersey is my home. I want to fix New Jersey."
Murphy is the first Democrat in four decades to win re-election in New Jersey.
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