Jack Ciattarelli Receives Emotional Surprise from Army Son on New Jersey Election Eve

NEWARK, New Jersey — Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli was brought to tears on the eve of New Jersey’s closely watched gubernatorial election when his son, Army Capt. Jake Ciattarelli, returned unexpectedly from his deployment in Kuwait. The surprise reunion took place Monday night during a campaign rally at Murph’s Tavern in Passaic County, leaving the candidate, his supporters, and the entire room visibly emotional just hours before polls were set to open.

A Reunion Amid Campaign Frenzy

The moment unfolded in front of hundreds of supporters, volunteers, and local leaders who had gathered to cheer their candidate one final time before election day. Passaic County Republican Chairman Peter Murphy introduced the surprise with a cryptic prelude, announcing to the crowd, “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.”

At first, Ciattarelli appeared puzzled, asking from the stage, “Who’s here?” A beat later, murmurs rippled through the crowd as Capt. Jake Ciattarelli emerged in full Army uniform, walking toward his father. Chants of “USA! USA!” filled the tavern as the two embraced. Cameras flashed and supporters wiped away tears in what quickly became one of the campaign’s most humanizing moments.

The candidate, momentarily overcome with emotion, then lightened the tone with a bit of humor. “Let me guess,” he said, turning to the crowd. “You called the president yesterday. He sent Air Force One over to Kuwait and picked up Jack.” The line drew laughter and applause. Ciattarelli added, “And if I know the young man, he’ll probably be on a plane this afternoon back to Kuwait to defend our country.”

Family at the Heart of the Campaign

Jack Ciattarelli, 63, a lifelong New Jerseyan and former state assemblyman from Somerset County, has long woven his family's story into his campaign’s fabric. Throughout his run for governor, he has frequently referenced his son’s military service as an example of dedication and duty — themes that resonate deeply with both veterans and suburban families across the state.

Earlier this year, Ciattarelli shared a photo of Jake pointing to a “New Jersey Ave” sign while serving in the Middle East, an image that spread widely on social media. During stump speeches, he regularly mentioned how proud he was of his son’s commitment to the Army, emphasizing that public service — whether on the battlefield or in the statehouse — defines what it means to be a New Jerseyan.

Capt. Jake Ciattarelli, who enlisted in late 2023, has been stationed in Kuwait as part of a logistics support unit. Speaking with local reporters after the surprise reunion, he said he planned to remain in New Jersey through Thursday to support his father before returning overseas. “I wanted to be here for him,” he said quietly, “just as he’s always been there for me.”

The Stakes of Election Eve

The reunion underscored what was already an emotionally charged evening for the Ciattarelli campaign. With polls tightening in the final days, every rally, handshake, and town hall carried weight. The candidate’s Monday itinerary spanned nearly the entire state — from Neptune City on the shore to his hometown of Raritan — with the final rally in Passaic drawing hundreds.

Earlier in the evening, Ciattarelli held a tele-rally featuring President Donald Trump, who lent his endorsement and urged voters to “finish strong” for the Republican ticket. The campaign described the call as its largest virtual event of the cycle, with thousands of supporters tuning in across all 21 counties.

According to the latest RealClearPolitics polling average, Ciattarelli trailed his Democratic opponent, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, by just 3.3 percentage points heading into Election Day — within the margin of error of several late surveys. The close margin signaled that New Jersey, typically a reliably blue state in statewide races, could be bracing for one of its most competitive contests in decades.

A Moment Resonating Beyond Politics

The emotional father-son moment quickly made the rounds on social media, with clips circulating through campaign accounts and local news outlets within minutes. Supporters described it as a reminder that politics, at its core, remains about people and families. Even some rivals acknowledged the sincerity of the exchange.

For New Jersey voters, the reunion struck a chord in a state with deep military roots. According to federal data, more than 430,000 veterans reside in New Jersey, and the state is home to several major military installations, including Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Military service and national defense remain potent issues among suburban voters, especially in swing counties like Morris, Somerset, and Burlington.

Political observers noted that such moments, though personal, can galvanize voter enthusiasm in the campaign’s final stretch. Emotional appeals tied to family and public service often cut through the noise of negative ads and partisan debates, reinforcing a candidate’s character rather than their platform. While analysts caution that late-stage events rarely shift the outcome of a race, they can influence voter motivation and turnout — factors especially critical in close elections.

Historical Context of New Jersey Gubernatorial Races

New Jersey’s gubernatorial elections have frequently drawn national attention for their volatility and unpredictability. Since 1950, the state has elected governors from both major parties with regular alternation, reflecting its politically diverse electorate. While Democrats have held the governorship for most of the 21st century, several Republicans — including Christine Todd Whitman and Chris Christie — have found success by appealing to moderate suburban voters frustrated by taxes and cost-of-living pressures.

Ciattarelli’s campaign has leaned into that tradition, promoting fiscal management, education reform, and small business support as core themes. His background as a successful small business owner and legislator from the state’s centrist wing positioned him as a pragmatic alternative to the Democratic administration. Meanwhile, Sherrill’s campaign has focused on protecting reproductive rights, bolstering infrastructure, and defending New Jersey’s share of federal funding.

In this backdrop, the Ciattarelli family’s emotional moment stood apart from partisanship, a rare pause in a race otherwise dominated by policy contrasts and attack ads. For many attendees, it offered a final push to vote — not out of ideology, but out of shared emotion and community pride.

Broader Economic and Social Undercurrents

Beyond the election itself, the emotional resonance of the Ciattarelli reunion touched on broader issues facing New Jersey families in 2025. The state’s economy, while rebounding from pandemic-era slowdowns, continues to struggle with affordability concerns. Property taxes remain among the highest in the nation, housing costs are rising, and young families continue to migrate out of the state seeking lower living expenses.

Ciattarelli’s platform, centered on tax relief and economic revitalization, speaks directly to these anxieties. His emphasis on family and service ties into a broader narrative of restoring the state’s middle-class stability — themes that have found renewed urgency amid national inflation concerns and evolving job markets.

For many New Jerseyans who have loved ones in the military or public service, Capt. Jake Ciattarelli’s homecoming offered more than a sentimental story. It represented a moment of gratitude for the sacrifices families make for both state and country, serving as a reminder that politics often intersects with personal values and community identity.

The Final Push Before the Polls Open

As the night wound down, supporters lingered inside Murph’s Tavern long after the rally ended, sharing photos and stories while waiting their turn for a handshake or brief word with the candidate. Some said they had never seen Ciattarelli so visibly moved. Others viewed the reunion as a sign of good fortune heading into Election Day.

Ciattarelli, his voice steady but eyes still wet, closed his remarks with a message of gratitude: “This campaign has always been about family — mine, yours, and all the families who call New Jersey home. That’s what tomorrow is about.”

With polls opening early Tuesday morning, both campaigns prepared to mobilize their final ground operations across the state’s more than 6,300 precincts. Observers expect high turnout, driven by months of vigorous campaigning, tight margins, and intense local engagement in one of the nation’s most densely populated states.

As Ciattarelli departed the tavern alongside his son, who remained in uniform, the pair paused to greet a group of veterans gathered near the door. The scene was brief but powerful — a quiet reminder that behind every campaign, no matter how heated, are moments of humanity that transcend politics.