New Jersey business owner and CEO Joseph Caruso is hosting a cocktail reception for 2025 Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli on Thursday, September 12 at the Mansion at Mountain Lakes in Mountain Lakes N.J. in Morris County.

The event is co-hosed by the Mansion’s owner James Carrazza. (See attached invitation for more details.)

Caruso, a Wayne Township N.J. resident, is the CEO of a global corporate advisory firm headquartered in N.J. and is backing Ciattarelli for governor because “Jack is the only candidate with the practical business experience needed grow the state’s economy and create good paying jobs for state residents.”

“We need a governor who understands the fundamentals of business rather than politics, we need a governor who has started a business, hired employees and dealt with cumbersome government regulations. Jack has done those things,” said Caruso, noting that Ciattarelli started and managed two successful businesses.

“New Jersey’s economy is plagued by economic gimmicks, burdensome regulation and a lack of consistency in how the state taxes and regulates business. That uncertainty makes business owners and entrepreneurs reluctant to invest in the state,” added Caruso.

“To overcome its poor business climate, state administrations – such as the current one – resort to one-shot fiscal incentives, short term tax breaks or million-dollar incentives for specialized industries that they choose. Jack Ciattarelli knows that those gimmicks do not work if you want to build a strong, lasting economy,” said Caruso.

The CEO noted that the New Jersey continually ranks in the bottom half of all states in the nation when it comes to business friendliness and affordability.

The national Tax Foundation ranked New Jersey last in its 2024 State Business Tax Climate Index. WalletHub ranked New Jersey 44th out of 50 states in which to start a business, citing a poor business environment, and its high rank (50th ) in business costs. Add to those dubious rankings that New Jersey has the highest effective tax rate in the nation and the highest actual taxes paid, and it is not surprising that businesses are leaving New Jersey and middle-class families are following them.

According to at least one report, the number of Fortune 500 companies headquartered in New Jersey fell from 22 in 2006 to 15 in 2021. The state lost between $350 and $400 billion in personal income since 1990 due to outward migration.

“New Jersey needs a governor who will build a better economy based on sound economic fundamentals and respecting free market choices. Jack can and will do that. I encourage all business owners and all those who care about serious economic future for New Jersey to join me and support Jack,” said Caruso.

For more information on purchasing tickets to the September 12 cocktail reception for Jack Ciattarelli, call Maria Chappa at 973. 239. 3024 or via email at mchappa@aol.com.