The four Republican candidates for governor don't seem to like each other.

Tuesday night's debate quickly descended into a barrage of insults and taunts - a far cry from the Democratic lovefest Sunday night.

Jack Ciattarelli, who lost a close race in 2021, appears to be the frontrunner for the Republican

[caption id="attachment_161900" align="alignright" width="150"] Ciattarelli[/caption]

nomination.

Others on stage were radio host Bill Spadea, state Sen. Jon Bramnick and former state Sen. Ed Durr.

Accusations began flowing quickly.

Ciattarelli repeatedly brought up some satire - a website called PhonyBill.com, which he created to condemn Spadea.

The best way to grasp the tone is to understand that during the debate, Spadea called Ciattarelli a "liar."

[caption id="attachment_157370" align="alignleft" width="150"] Spadea[/caption]

Ciattarelli with Spadea in mind said, "This is an indecent man."

At the start of the debate, Spadea stressed that he's been a Donald Trump supporter since he came down the escalator.

Ciattarelli questioned that, pointing to comments Spadea has made criticizing the president.

That prompted Spadea to say that the:

"The loudest, most disruptive, annoying person does not win."

Ciattarelli quickly shot back:

"That's exactly what you are on the radio."

This drew out Bramnick, who said this primary should not be about who loves Trump the most, but who loves New Jersey the most.

Bramnick, of course, does not "love" Trump, which he made clear later in the debate.

[caption id="attachment_164977" align="alignright" width="150"] Bramnick[/caption]

Without prompting, Bramnick criticized the president's pardoning of Jan 6 defendants.

There were groans from the studio audience when Bramnick brought up the issue, but to his credit, he pushed on, saying he would never support pardons for those who "violently attack police officers."

None of the other candidates touched that issue.
When actual issues surfaced, there was more or less agreement.

All four candidates pledged to end "sanctuary cities," get rid of DEI mandates and overhaul current housing regulations

[caption id="attachment_146516" align="alignleft" width="150"] Durr[/caption]

On education - most recently a hot button issue for conservatives - it was noted that Bramnick was one of a small number of Republicans who backed the "Freedom to Read" bill.

Supporters say the bill shields librarians from lawsuits from book banners.

Republicans claim it sanctions pornography.

When Durr pushed the issue, Bramnick said Durr should read the bill.

The two men also clashed over one of those innocuous rites of politics - a barbecue or "pizza party" that Bramnick attended with the governor.

Bramnick's point was simple - you should not hate people if you disagree with them politically.

Durr disagreed. saying that he does, indeed, hate the governor for what he did "to the children," during COVID.

That was five years ago now, and as such, it is debatable if the pandemic is still a viable political issue.

This roundabout was fun to watch, but here is an essential question:

How do Republicans win?

Spadea said the GOP has to build on Trump's momentum. Yes, he lost New Jersey, but not by much.

Ciattarelli said you have to unify the party. OK, but you need more than that.

Bramnick said his Union County district leans Democratic in presidential elections, but that he still wins. Do not forget about that.

Durr said the key is nominating someone not beholden to the establishment - like him.

Speaking of corruption, the candidates were presented with a softball question about Phil Murphy and four former governors recently coming together with George Norcross for a groundbreaking ceremony for a Cooper University Health Care expansion project in Camden.

Norcross is under indictment.

So, really now, doesn't this look awful?

It was a pretty easy question but only Durr made a forceful comment:

"This state is as crooked as can be."