In a political earthquake that’s shaking up New Jersey, Garfield Mayor Everett E. Garnto, Jr. has ditched the Democratic Party to throw his weight behind Republican gubernatorial hopeful Jack Ciattarelli.
This stunning switch, announced during a packed rally in Garfield on Thursday, signals growing frustration with Gov. Phil Murphy’s leadership and a shifting tide in one of Bergen County’s key municipalities.
Garnto, a lifelong Garfield resident and retired police officer with 29 years of service, isn’t just any local figure. He’s a former city council member elected as a Democrat in November 2024, later selected as mayor by his peers, and a past school board member and housing authority vice chair. His deep roots in this community of over 30,000 make his defection a loud wake-up call.
The rally in Garfield, the fifth-largest municipality in Bergen County, drew hundreds, with standing room only, according to Michael Casey, New Jersey State Director for Early Vote Action. Casey called it a “major endorsement” for Ciattarelli in a city long considered a Democratic bastion. Well, it seems the blue wall is cracking, and not a moment too soon.
Garnto didn’t hold back, declaring at the rally that “the state is broken.” He’s pointing fingers at Murphy’s policies for sky-high taxes and soaring electric bills. Sounds like someone’s finally reading the fine print on progressive promises.
He also slammed the current administration for less safe communities, telling the crowd, “New Jerseyans deserve better.” Garnto sees Ciattarelli as “the right leader” for this moment. If only more politicians had the guts to admit when their party’s gone off the rails.
Garfield’s political landscape is indeed changing, with local voter registration trends showing a pivot away from traditional Democratic dominance. Gov. Murphy barely squeaked by with a 150-vote margin in 2021, a far cry from the iron grip Democrats once held. Turns out, loyalty to party over people has a shelf life.
Garnto isn’t shy about his own political evolution, admitting he supported Donald Trump in the last presidential election. That’s a bold confession in a state where waving a red hat can get you more side-eye than a tax audit. But it shows he’s listening to his constituents, not party bosses.
Ciattarelli, for his part, welcomed the endorsement with open arms at the rally, noting, “It’s not just Republicans” seeking change. He’s right—unaffiliated and moderate Democratic voters are fed up too. When even lifelong Dems start jumping ship, you know the captain’s lost the crew.
Garnto isn’t the only Democrat crossing the aisle; he’s the second mayor in recent days to back Ciattarelli, following Dover Mayor James Dodd. Add to that the support of Jamel Holley, a former Democratic assemblyman and Roselle mayor who switched sides earlier this summer, and you’ve got a trend. Clearly, Murphy’s playbook isn’t winning any popularity contests.
Ciattarelli has also racked up endorsements from heavy hitters like the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 and a full-throated nod from former President Trump. That’s a coalition that spans union halls to MAGA rallies—a rare feat in today’s polarized mess. It’s almost as if common sense is making a comeback.
On Fox News earlier this week, Ciattarelli didn’t mince words, stating Murphy’s energy agenda has residents “paying through the nose.” He’s not wrong—when electric bills rival mortgage payments, something’s gone haywire. Maybe it’s time to stop chasing utopian energy dreams and start grounding policy in reality.
Ciattarelli also told Fox News that people statewide are frustrated with Murphy’s “failed policies” over the past seven-plus years. He’s tapping into a raw nerve—voters don’t just want change, they’re demanding it. When even Democratic mayors can’t stomach the status quo, you’ve got a crisis of confidence.
Back at the Garfield rally, Ciattarelli hammered home that even moderate Democrats see the current administration as a flop. It’s a powerful message: this isn’t about party loyalty, it’s about results—or the lack thereof. Apparently, Murphy’s tab is coming due.
Garnto’s endorsement could be a tipping point in a state desperate for leadership that prioritizes affordability and safety over ideological experiments. As New Jersey watches Garfield’s political sands shift, one thing is clear: Ciattarelli’s campaign is gaining steam, and Murphy’s grip is slipping. Here’s hoping voters take note before the next bill arrives.
