The Republicans have two white men at top of their ticket – should that be an issue?

Let’s start with the facts: 

Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli and his running mate, Jim Gannon, are both men, both white and were both born in 1961. 

Let’s move to the question: 

Should that matter in 2025 in New Jersey — a state that is nearly majority minority? 

That’s the question David Cruz of NJ Spotlight News asked Ciattarelli on Wednesday morning after an event at Johnnie’s Tavern in Boonton that introduced Gannon. 

Credit Cruz with asking the question. And credit Ciattarelli for answering it. 

“Does this ticket represent the diversity of New Jersey?” Cruz asked. 

“I think it does,” Ciattarelli said. “We’re men of the people. I’ve won races in a town, a county, in a legislative district where Democrats outnumber Republicans. Jim has been a man of the people for 40-plus years.” 

Cruz asked Ciattarelli what message the selection may send to members of minority communities. 

Ciattarelli answered with conviction. 

“I’m very confident in my candidacy,” he said. “I’m very confident in Jim’s role on the team as lieutenant governor. He’s going to be a great lieutenant governor.” 

He went to say: “I think the message we deliver each and every day will put each and every New Jerseyan at ease — that we’ll represent all the people, unlike the opposition party. They have not, — I will.” 

We asked the leaders of the two largest diverse chambers of commerce what they thought of the pick. 

To be clear, both Carlos Medina of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey and John Harmon of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey both have been discussed as potential “LG” candidates — this year and in the past. Medina actually has been through the vetting process. 

And, to be clear, Ciattarelli has been a regular at events held by both chambers in the past four years. Ciattarelli, in fact, spoke and took questions at the Hispanic Chamber’s business expo earlier this month. 

So, there is familiarity.  

That being said, both Medina and Harmon said the pick raised an eyebrow. 

“In these times, I don’t know if that’s the right optics,” Harmon said.  

“I will say that, clearly, Jack gets our concerns. I hope they can stay on message and build on what has already been said, but I’m a little concerned.” 

Medina echoed those thoughts. 

“I know Jack and I like Jack,” he said. “But I would have liked to see somebody a little different. 

“I guess he’s a solid criminal justice person, so he adds that, but he doesn’t add business, and he doesn’t add diversity.” 

The lieutenant governor role only has been around in New Jersey since 2009. The six previous selections have all been women or people of color (or both). Ciattarelli selected Diane Allen when he was the Republican nominee in 2021. Only one previous selection was a man — Republican candidate Kim Guadagno, a woman, selected Woodcliff Lake Mayor Carlos Rendo in 2017. 

Mikie Sherrill, the Democratic candidate for governor, has not announced her lieutenant governor pick. She has until next Monday to do so. 

The three people who have served in the role: Guadagno (under Gov. Chris Christie), Sheila Oliver and Tahesha Way (both under Gov. Phil Murphy) all have been women.  

That being said, there has been a movement — particularly among Republicans at the national level — to question any selection of a women or person of color for any leadership role, calling it a forced diversity selection. 

Of course, in an election, the only thing that matters is winning. 

Mike DuHaime, who was the chief strategist on both of Christie’s successful gubernatorial campaigns (in 2009 and 2013) when Guadagno was his LG pick, said he liked Ciattarelli’s pick of Gannon for that very reason. 

“I think it’s smart that he didn’t feel the need to just check certain boxes to round out the demographics of the ticket,” he said. “Pick someone who would be a good governor, help on the trail and do no harm from an opposition research point of view.” 

DuHaime, the founder and CEO of MAD Global Strategy, pointed out how Gannon will help. 

“Morris County is a battleground where they have to run up some numbers, but also a place Sherrill has a base of support,” he said. “Gannon is a great guy and lifelong cop who should connect with voters.” 

That’s the goal: Connecting with voters.  

Harmon acknowledged all the work Ciattarelli has done to connect with the Black community and understand its issues and concerns — and all the time Ciattarelli has put in to gain that knowledge. 

But, still. 

“It’s kind of shocking,” Harmon said. “I have to see what the other side does, but I thought this was an opening for him to do something different. They’ve got work to do.”