LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — Republicans running for governor of New Jersey collided on stage Tuesday night during an often rambunctious two-hour debate broadcast from Rider University in Lawrenceville.
Moderator Laura Jones, from On New Jersey, had her hands full as the four candidates — state Sen. Jon Bramnick, former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, one-time state Sen. Ed Durr and former radio host Bill Spadea — repeatedly interrupted and spoke over one another on just about every topic covered.
The four men were asked about issues, including immigration, affordability and clean energy. There weren’t too many major policy disagreements. Each candidate said they opposed or would undo executive orders made under Gov. Phil Murphy barring local police from working with immigration officials.
Asked whether they would support an amendment enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution — New Jersey law currently establishes that it is legal — Bramnick said yes, while Durr and Spadea said no. Ciattarelli said he supports abortion rights but would support a ban on abortion after five months of pregnancy.
Instead, disagreement stemmed from each candidate trying to explain why he was the right man for the job — or why the others weren’t.
Candidates snipped back and forth as Jones tried to keep the debate on track. Still, it repeatedly went off the rails.
“You listen to these guys tonight and you really get the feeling that seeking political power is like a drug. I’m going to commit to you tonight to serve one term as your governor because we have to separate the politics of re-election from the job of governing,” said Spadea, who spent most of his time going after Ciattarelli.
“We’ve got crises in the state and we need a serious candidate who brings very positive energy to campaign, is going to get up and down the state,” said Ciattarelli, “and unlike my two opponents, raise the money necessary to win the election.”
Bramnick, a moderate, was the only one of the four who has kept his distance from President Donald Trump and called himself the most electable candidate.
“I have a consistent record of winning in districts that are dominated by Democrats and dominated by independent voters,” he said, “and the reason is [because] I say it the way it is.”
Durr, meanwhile, said he was a regular guy fighting for regular people. “I will have access to the best and brightest minds New Jersey has to offer, and working together, we will solve New Jersey’s affordability crisis,” he said.
“[It] comes down to this. Who do you trust? The establishment or someone just like you, Ed the trucker?”
The Associated Press contributed to this story.