Bergen County Democrat's Party Switch Raises Questions About 2025 Governor's Race

Strategic Insights -

In a potentially significant turn of events for the 2025 governor's race in New Jersey, Garfield Mayor Everett E. Garnto Jr., a Democrat, announced that he is changing his party registration to Republican and endorsing GOP gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli. Garnto's decision is seen as a bold move, as Garfield is a traditionally Democratic stronghold, having voted for Democrats in every presidential election since 1988, except for a narrow victory for Donald Trump in 2024. However, Garnto's past as a Republican, having voted in the 2016 GOP primary, and his social media posts showcasing Trump-branded socks, suggest a complex and nuanced individual with shifting party loyalties.

Key Takeaways:

  • Garfield Mayor Everett E. Garnto Jr., a Democrat, is switching his party registration to Republican and endorsing Jack Ciattarelli for governor.
  • Garnto's decision is seen as significant, as Garfield is a traditionally Democratic stronghold.
  • Garnto's past as a Republican and his social media posts showcasing Trump-branded socks suggest a complex and nuanced individual with shifting party loyalties.
  • Garfield voters may not always align with their party's presidential choices, as seen in the town's narrow victory for Trump in 2024.
  • Ciattarelli's endorsement by a Democratic elected official in prized territory like Bergen County may be seen as a positive for Republicans, as it helps make him more acceptable to moderate Democrats and independents.
  • Public polling may understate the potential impact of Garnto's endorsement, as it did in predicting Trump's 2024 victory in Passaic County.
  • Garfield Councilman Richard Rigoglioso, a Democrat, respects Garnto's decision but sees it as an aberration, as the town remains a blue enclave.

Statistics:

  • 6,300 registered voters in Garfield.
  • 1,000-vote margin in Garfield's 2024 presidential election victory for Donald Trump.
  • 100-vote margin in Garfield's 2013 governor's race between Republican Chris Christie and Democrat Barbara Buono.

Sources:

  • New Jersey Monitor, "Briefs: NJ Governor Hopefuls Make Divergent Pitches on Campaign Trail"
  • New Jersey Monitor, "Garfield Mayor Everett E. Garnto Jr. after speaking at a campaign event for Jack Ciattarelli in Garfield on Sept. 4, 2025"
  • Voter registration records
  • New Jersey Monitor, "Trump's job approval here in New Jersey"
  • New Jersey Monitor, "Democrat Mikie Sherrill leads Republican Jack Ciattarelli in NJ governors' race, new poll says"