On the eve of crucial elections, Donald Trump is set to hold tele-rallies for two Republican gubernatorial candidates: Jack Ciattarelli in New Jersey and Winsome Earle-Sears in Virginia. The events, scheduled for the evening of November 6, 2023, come as both candidates seek to galvanize support ahead of the polls on November 7.
Trump’s support for Ciattarelli is not new; he previously endorsed the New Jersey candidate and held a tele-rally for him last month. However, this marks Trump’s first direct engagement with Earle-Sears, the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. This intervention follows a series of high-profile rallies led by former President Barack Obama, who campaigned for Democratic candidates Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey and Abigail Spanberger of Virginia over the weekend.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump criticized the Democratic candidates, suggesting that their policies would lead to higher crime rates and energy costs. He urged voters to support Republican candidates for “massive Energy Cost reductions, large-scale Tax Cuts, and basic Common Sense.”
Both Ciattarelli and Earle-Sears are currently trailing in their respective races, with New Jersey appearing to be the more competitive of the two. Republicans are aiming for a repeat of the surprising victory in Virginia in 2021 when Glenn Youngkin defeated Democrat Terry McAuliffe. Ciattarelli also previously ran a surprisingly close race against incumbent Governor Phil Murphy, igniting hopes of a potential upset.
Trump’s recent remarks have been starkly critical of Democratic nominees. In past rallies, he labeled Sherrill as “fake and corrupt,” claiming that her policies would further burden New Jersey residents. He emphasized that Ciattarelli must take the reins of his campaign and rely on his own efforts rather than outside endorsements. “The candidate has to go out and win the race,” Ciattarelli stated last week, downplaying the impact of external support.
As both parties prepare for the upcoming elections, the stakes are higher than ever. The outcomes in New Jersey and Virginia could serve as indicators for the political landscape leading into the 2024 elections. With Trump rallying supporters and Obama energizing the Democratic base, both sides are gearing up for what promises to be a closely watched electoral showdown.
