Leading up to 8 p.m. on Tuesday night in New Jersey, Jack Ciattarelli’s campaign had serious juice. The third-time candidate ran a high-energy campaign, appearing all over the state, all-day, every-day, to cheering crowds. Polls had him neck-and-neck with the Democratic candidate. As energized Lakewood voters — who turned out to vote in massive numbers as Trump tweeted about yeshivah students — reminded each other, polls always gift the Dem a few points above reality.
As I pulled into the Somerset County Marriott Hotel where Ciattarelli was holding his stylized “victory party” two miles from where he grew up, the juice was still there. Thousands of Jack for Governor signs covered the surrounding streets; hundreds of state police officers on foot, in cruisers, and on horseback patrolled the area, and the line of people waiting to get in stretched around the parking lot and back. A lively buzz rose from the crowd.
But by the time I was screened for entry, the buzz had died. The overall tone turned from hopeful to angry; boom to doom. Within minutes of polls closing, Democrat Mikie Sherrill took a commanding lead. It wasn’t just the numbers, she was outperforming Ciattarelli in counties he had to win and among the independent voters who were the key to his chances. Within half an hour, Decision Desk HQ called the race for Sherrill.
Across town, her campaign was already celebrating by the time I got into the packed ballroom, but Ciattarelli’s people hadn’t given up yet. Fox News refused to call the race for another hour or so, giving hope to the faithful inside.
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