Overview
- Video from a Muslims-for-Jack event shows Ciattarelli aide Dr. Ibrar Nadeem calling for a ban on same-sex marriage and making a remark about taking money from Jews, after which Ciattarelli praised him onstage.
- The Human Rights Campaign and the New Jersey Democratic State Committee urged Ciattarelli to repudiate the comments and fire the adviser, calling the rhetoric homophobic and antisemitic.
- Ciattarelli later said he supports same-sex marriage and accused Sherrill of misrepresenting the clip, though records show he voted against New Jersey’s 2012 marriage-equality bill as a legislator.
- Recent surveys from Rutgers-Eagleton, Quinnipiac, Fox News and FDU show a close race with Sherrill ahead by mid- to low-single digits, and analysts say the outcome will hinge on voter turnout.
- Trump has publicly endorsed Ciattarelli and plans a tele-rally as MAGA surrogates like Rep. Byron Donalds campaign in the state, while Sherrill is set to rally with Barack Obama on Nov. 1.