History of Jack Ciattarelli in Timeline

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Jack Ciattarelli

Jack Ciattarelli is an American politician and businessman who served in the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 16th district from 2011 to 2018. A Republican, he has held positions on the Raritan Borough Council and the Somerset County Board of Freeholders. He was the Republican nominee for Governor of New Jersey in 2021, losing to incumbent Phil Murphy in a surprisingly tight race. Despite the loss, Ciattarelli's performance was stronger than anticipated, raising his profile within the state's Republican party.

December 12, 1961: Jack Ciattarelli Born

On December 12, 1961, Giacchino Michael "Jack" Ciattarelli was born. He later became an American politician and businessman.

Others born on this day/year

1990: Served on Raritan Borough Council

In 1990, Jack Ciattarelli began his service on the Raritan Borough Council.

1991: Council President

In 1991, Jack Ciattarelli became the council president.

1995: Leaves Raritan Borough Council

In 1995, Jack Ciattarelli chose not to seek re-election and left the Raritan Borough Council to focus on his business career.

1998: Adjunct Professor at Seton Hall

In 1998, Jack Ciattarelli became an adjunct professor at Seton Hall.

2001: End of Tenure at Seton Hall

In 2001, Jack Ciattarelli's time as an adjunct professor at Seton Hall came to an end.

2007: Elected to Somerset County Board of Freeholders

In 2007, Jack Ciattarelli was elected to the Somerset County Board of Freeholders.

November 8, 2011: Ciattarelli wins election to General Assembly

On November 8, 2011, Jack Ciattarelli and his running mate Peter J. Biondi won the election for the General Assembly seat in the 16th legislative district, defeating Marie Corfield and Joe Camarota.

November 2011: End of term on Board of Freeholders

In November 2011, Jack Ciattarelli ended his service on the Somerset County Board of Freeholders.

December 5, 2011: Sworn into General Assembly

On December 5, 2011, Jack Ciattarelli was sworn into the General Assembly to complete Peter Biondi's unexpired term after stepping down from his freeholder position.

2011: Elected to the New Jersey General Assembly

In 2011, Jack Ciattarelli was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 16th legislative district.

January 10, 2012: Sworn in for first full term

On January 10, 2012, Jack Ciattarelli was sworn in for his first full term in the General Assembly.

2012: Voted against same-sex marriage bill

In 2012, Jack Ciattarelli voted against a bill that would have legalized same-sex marriage.

2015: Called Trump a charlatan

In 2015, Jack Ciattarelli called Donald Trump a "charlatan".

2016: Diagnosed with throat cancer

In 2016, Jack Ciattarelli was diagnosed with throat cancer.

March 2017: Revealed to be cancer-free

In March 2017, Jack Ciattarelli revealed that he was cancer-free.

2017: Runs for Governor

In 2017, Jack Ciattarelli chose not to seek re-election in order to run for governor of New Jersey.

2017: Ciattarelli finishes second in primary

In 2017, Jack Ciattarelli finished second in the Republican Party gubernatorial primary with 31% of the vote, losing to Kim Guadagno.

January 9, 2018: End of General Assembly Term

On January 9, 2018, Jack Ciattarelli's term in the General Assembly officially ended.

2018: Ciattarelli leaves the General Assembly

In 2018, Jack Ciattarelli's tenure in the New Jersey General Assembly came to an end.

2020: Supported Trump's reelection bid

In 2020, Jack Ciattarelli supported Donald Trump's reelection bid and headlined a "Stop the Steal" rally, where speakers claimed the election had been stolen.

November 12, 2021: Ciattarelli concedes election to Murphy

On November 12, 2021, Jack Ciattarelli conceded the 2021 gubernatorial race to incumbent Governor Phil Murphy.

2021: Expressed opposition to LGBTQ education laws

In 2021, Jack Ciattarelli expressed opposition to New Jersey laws regarding LGBTQ education, which caused controversy and required clarification.

2021: Ciattarelli Lost Gubernatorial Election

In 2021, Jack Ciattarelli was the Republican nominee in the New Jersey gubernatorial election, where he lost to the incumbent Democratic Governor Phil Murphy.

June 2023: Separated from his wife

In June 2023, Jack Ciattarelli announced that he and his wife Melinda had separated earlier in the year.

2024: Endorsed Trump in 2024 election

In 2024, Jack Ciattarelli endorsed Donald Trump in the 2024 election.

October 2025: Ciattarelli supports same-sex marriage

In October 2025, Jack Ciattarelli expressed his support for same-sex marriage after controversy arose from an adviser's remarks.

2025: Divorced

In 2025, Jack Ciattarelli divorced from Melinda.

2025: Faces Mikie Sherrill

In 2025, Jack Ciattarelli is set to face Democratic U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill in the general election.

2025: Republican Nominee for Governor

In 2025, Jack Ciattarelli is the Republican nominee for Governor of New Jersey, and will be facing Democrat Mikie Sherrill in the general election.

2025: Says he would rate Trump's performance an "A"

In 2025, Jack Ciattarelli stated that he would rate Donald Trump's performance in his second term as an "A".

2025: Won Republican primary

In 2025, Jack Ciattarelli won the Republican primary with 68% of the vote.