Trump to join Ciattarelli for NJ tele-rally urging early ballots

President Donald Trump will join Republican Jack Ciattarelli on a telephone rally Friday evening to urge New Jersey voters to cast early ballots as the closely contested race for governor tightens less than two weeks before Election Day. The tele-rally, scheduled for 7 p.m., comes as recent polls show Democratic U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill leading Ciattarelli by roughly five points, a narrower margin than earlier in the campaign.

The race to succeed two-term, term-limited Democratic Governor Phil Murphy has drawn national attention because of its competitiveness and the involvement of national figures. Ciattarelli has embraced Trump’s endorsement and sought to woo voters with a message focused on affordability, public safety and local identity. Sherrill has campaigned on bringing change to state government while emphasizing measures to lower household costs, including energy prices.

Trump used the tele-rally to criticize Sherrill’s record and her policy proposals, asserting she had been dishonest during her time at the U.S. Naval Academy and arguing her energy agenda would raise rates for residents. Sherrill’s campaign has faced scrutiny over her Naval Academy...