Jack Ciattarelli is pledging to block New York’s congestion pricing plan with retaliatory tolls, sharpening his anti-MTA rhetoric as he rides a Trump endorsement to the GOP front-runner spot in New Jersey’s governor race.
At a Glance
- Jack Ciattarelli opposes NYC’s congestion pricing, citing unfair costs to New Jersey commuters.
- He proposes retaliatory tolls on New Yorkers and forming a unified state transit agency.
- Donald Trump has endorsed Ciattarelli, boosting his lead in the GOP primary.
- Critics warn of cuts to Medicaid and veteran services under a Trump-aligned administration.
- Democrats argue his positions exacerbate interstate tensions and harm vulnerable communities.
Toll Politics and Transit Wars
New Jersey GOP gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli has come out swinging against New York City’s controversial congestion pricing plan, calling it a direct financial assault on Garden State commuters. Under the NYC proposal, drivers entering central Manhattan would pay fees to reduce traffic and fund mass transit. Ciattarelli’s response? A threat to impose reciprocal congestion tolls on New Yorkers entering New Jersey.
At the core of his campaign is a populist message: “We’re not going to be pushed around by New York,” he declared, echoing a growing regional resentment toward MTA policies that disproportionately impact out-of-state workers. Ciattarelli also unveiled a plan to unify New Jersey’s transit agencies under a new Garden State Transportation Authority, streamlining operations and asserting local control over transportation policy.
Watch a report: Ciattarelli Blasts NYC Tolls.
Trump Alliance Fuels Momentum
Ciattarelli’s platform got a major boost with a high-profile endorsement from President Donald Trump, who praised him as “100% (PLUS!)” committed to the MAGA agenda. The endorsement vaults Ciattarelli ahead of primary rivals like Bill Spadea and positions him as the favorite among Republican voters. In response, Ciattarelli tweeted, “Truly humbled and honored… We will make New Jersey affordable and safe again.”
While the Trump backing energizes his base, it also provides ample ammunition for critics. Democratic strategist Ryan Radulovacki warned that a Ciattarelli win could “slash Medicaid, gut services for veterans, and raise costs through Trump-era tariffs.” The political contrast is stark—and likely to define the general election debate.
Regional Gridlock or Rational Policy?
Supporters argue that Ciattarelli’s hardline stance on congestion pricing reflects a long-overdue defense of New Jersey interests. The GOP candidate has framed the issue as one of fairness, questioning why his state’s taxpayers should subsidize New York’s transit failings: “WHY SHOULD NEW JERSEYANS PAY FOR THE MTA?”
Still, critics caution that retaliatory measures risk escalating an already fraught regional relationship. With tens of thousands of commuters crossing the Hudson daily, the prospect of toll wars threatens to disrupt mobility and inflame partisan gridlock. Transit advocates warn that such policies could backfire, harming workers and increasing costs for everyone.
As November nears, Ciattarelli’s path to the governor’s mansion may hinge on how his transportation stance plays in suburban counties—balancing populist fury with practical policy. But one thing is certain: the battle over tolls has become a proxy war for the broader ideological clash reshaping New Jersey politics.
