Garfield Mayor Everett E. Garnto, Jr., a Democratic official, is set to announce his support for Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli and plans to switch parties, according to reports. The mayor, who leads New Jersey’s fifth-largest municipality in Bergen County, has faced scrutiny for bypassing local tradition by being selected as mayor despite not securing the most votes in the 2024 council election.
Garfield, a city of approximately 32,000 residents, has seen shifting political dynamics. While Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy previously won the area by 151 votes in 2020, Trump secured nearly nine percentage points more than Murphy in 2024. The town’s demographics include 77% white residents and 32% identifying as Hispanic, with some voters selecting multiple categories.
Ciattarelli has garnered endorsements from several Democratic figures, including former Roselle mayor Jamel Holley and Dover Mayor James P. Dodd. The Republican candidate highlighted the support in a statement, questioning why Democratic officials are backing him: “Don’t believe people have had it with Murphy & Mikie’s failed policies? Then why are Democratic mayors endorsing me — and even switching parties?”
Garnto’s decision comes amid broader political realignments, as working-class areas like Garfield trend toward Republican candidates while wealthier suburbs shift toward Democrats. Despite Ciattarelli losing the 2021 race to Murphy by about 150 votes, Trump’s 900-vote margin in Garfield last year suggests a potential shift in voter sentiment.
The implications of Garnto’s endorsement remain unclear, but his move underscores growing discontent with current political leadership in the state.
