Jack Ciattarelli Chooses Sheriff James Gannon as Lt. Governor Partner

Republican Gubernatorial Nominee Announces Lieutenant Governor Pick

Republican gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli has announced that Morris County Sheriff James Gannon will join him on the ticket as the lieutenant governor nominee. The announcement was made at Johnnies Tavern in Boonton on Wednesday morning, where Ciattarelli formally introduced Gannon, 64, as his running mate.

Gannon, who was first elected sheriff in 2016, is currently serving his third term. He is a resident of the district represented by Democratic nominee Rep. Mikie Sherrill. Among those in attendance at the event was Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schilllari, a Democrat until this week. The presence of a prominent Democratic official at a Republican event highlights the potential for cross-party support in the upcoming election.

Ciattarelli emphasized that the Republican party sent a clear message six weeks ago during the primary that they were united and focused on achieving victory. "We’re a campaign that’s about people, not power or politics," he said. "Jim Gannon has always been a man of the people. This campaign has always been about a vision for New Jersey, not division. Jim Gannon has always been about unity."

Gannon shared his own perspective on public service, noting that he learned the importance of taking care of people as a child from his father, a detective in the NYPD. "Although I didn’t recognize it at the time, those days with my dad were the beginning of a career in public service," he said. "I stand before you honored and humbled to be your candidate for lieutenant governor for the state of New Jersey."

He criticized the current state of affairs under one-party Democratic rule, stating that New Jersey is "broken" and that Trenton Democrats are "spending and borrowing too much" and "taxing and tolling us to death." Gannon's remarks reflect a broader sentiment among Republicans who believe that the state needs a change in leadership.

Ciattarelli is not only focused on securing the governorship for himself but also on flipping enough seats in the General Assembly to gain a majority in that chamber. With the wind at their back, he expressed confidence that both he and Gannon could win, along with other Republican candidates.

Who Is James Gannon?

James Gannon first ran for public office in 2016 after the retirement of Sheriff Edward Rochford, who served eight terms. Rochford was preceded by John Fox, who served for 18 years. During his tenure, Gannon has prioritized programs like Hope One, which provides free Narcan training and Naloxone kits, as well as access to addiction recovery and mental health programs.

A lifelong Morris County resident, Gannon grew up in Boonton Township with three siblings. He holds an associate’s degree in law enforcement from County College of Morris and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from William Paterson University. His career in law enforcement began in Boonton Township before moving to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, and later Novartis Pharmaceuticals, where he served as the Global Head of Security Risk.

Gannon has one daughter and two grandchildren. His wife of 26 years passed away in 2010 after a battle against multiple sclerosis. If Ciattarelli is elected, Gannon would be the first man to serve as lieutenant governor in New Jersey since the post was formally created in 2005. It was first on the ballot in 2009.

Additional Context

During his unsuccessful campaign in 2021, Ciattarelli ran with former state Sen. Diane Allen. With the filing deadline approaching, Sherrill has until July 28 to name her lieutenant governor pick.

This report was contributed to by staff writer William Westhoven. Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. You can reach her via email at sobko@northjersey.com.