As The GOP Heals and Rebuilds in America, New Jersey Republicans Bracing for All Out Civil War

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TRENTON, N.J. — With the dust barely settling after the 2024 elections, New Jersey Republicans are embroiled in deep internal divisions as the party looks ahead to the 2025 gubernatorial contest. Former gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli, conservative media figure Bill Spadea, and State Senator Jon Bramnick are emerging as possible candidates, but their infighting has cast doubt on the party’s ability to mount a unified challenge to Democratic dominance in the state.

Can we at least wait until Inauguration Day to start the New Jersey GOP civil war?

Three distinct factions of the New Jersey GOP are feuding for power in a struggle where they might all come up empty-handed in November.

The clashes, fueled by personal rivalries and differing degrees of alignment with Donald Trump, have spilled into public forums like Twitter and Facebook. Though each potential contender now embraces the former president, past criticisms of Trump have resurfaced, highlighting old divisions. During Trump’s presidency, Ciattarelli called him “unfit to be president” and a “charlatan,” while Spadea argued Trump had “failed” and should not run again. Bramnick also expressed skepticism about Trump’s leadership.

Despite their current support for Trump’s policies and his 2024 candidacy, none of the three have signaled a willingness to mend fences with each other. Political analysts say this discord could hurt Republicans in a state where Democrats hold a strong voter registration advantage and have dominated recent elections.