Garfield Mayor Everett E. Garnto Jr. of Bergen County officially left the Democratic Party on Thursday and endorsed Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli, citing dissatisfaction with Governor Phil Murphy’s leadership. “The state is broken,” Garnto declared at a rally in Garfield, where hundreds gathered to support the GOP contender. He criticized Murphy for rising taxes, costly utilities, and public safety concerns, saying New Jerseyans “deserve better.”
Garnto, who supported Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, brings a strong background in local law enforcement, having served as president of the Garfield Police Benevolent Association. His switch marks a growing trend of moderate Democrats aligning with Ciattarelli. Other notable Democratic backers include Dover Mayor James P. Dodd and former Assemblyman Jamel Holley, who h ave also expressed discontent with current state leadership.
Ciattarelli, a former state assemblyman, is set to face Democratic U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill in the November 2025 gubernatorial race. According to a recent Emerson College poll, the contest is currently tied, with both candidates holding 43% of the vote and 11% of voters still undecided. The close numbers reflect a deeply polarized electorate and a growing appetite for change among some New Jersey voters.
Former President Donald Trump, who has endorsed Ciattarelli, amplified the Emerson poll on Truth Social, praising the candidate as “tough on crime and cutting taxes.” He criticized Sherrill for supporting progressive causes, attempting to paint her as out of touch with mainstream voters. Meanwhile, Sherrill has defended her record and committed to easing the financial burden on working families.
Beyond party lines, Ciattarelli has also secured support from organized labor. The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825, representing over 7,000 members, endorsed him for his openness to natural gas projects and focus on infrastructure. With energy policy, tax reform, and economic transparency at the center of the campaign, the gubernatorial race remains highly competitive in a sharply divided New Jersey.
Concern Confirmed: Trump’s Circulatory Diagnosis Revealed After Weeks of Speculation
For weeks, subtle signs had stirred quiet concern—Donald Trump walking more cautiously, steering clear of stairs at rallies, and occasionally appearing physically restrained.
Now, a newly confirmed health update has shed light on what observers had long suspected: the former president is managing a vascular condition that could subtly affect his pace on the campaign trail.
Washington, D.C. – In a statement that has ignited conversation across political and media platforms, Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt
confirmed that the former president has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a circulatory issue that hampers blood flow in the legs and can lead to swelling, fatigue, and discomfort.
Despite the headlines, Leavitt emphasized that Trump’s cardiovascular health remains intact. “After noticing some lower leg swelling, President Trump underwent a full medical evaluation,” she said. “There were no heart-related concerns, and his overall health remains robust. This condition is being effectively managed with treatment.”
The announcement comes on the heels of mounting speculation about Trump’s physical condition. Video clips of the former president walking more slowly during public appearances had prompted questions about his stamina and overall well-being—questions the campaign had previously sidestepped.
Now that the diagnosis is public, supporters have rallied online, flooding platforms with messages under hashtags like #TrumpStrong and #KeepFightingTrump.
While chronic venous insufficiency is not a life-threatening illness, medical experts note that it does require routine care and lifestyle adjustments, particularly for someone constantly on the move.
With the election cycle intensifying and every public appearance under scrutiny, Trump’s team seems intent on projecting stability while quietly managing the realities of aging and a demanding travel schedule.
A Subtle Shift in the Campaign Narrative
Though Leavitt’s announcement was designed to minimize alarm, it also marks a subtle shift in transparency. For a candidate who prides himself on strength and stamina, acknowledging a chronic condition—even a manageable one—adds a new layer to the 2024 campaign.
It also raises broader questions: Why was the information delayed? Were advisers hoping to avoid political fallout? And does this mark the beginning of a more cautious phase in Trump’s campaign activity?
Final Thoughts
Trump’s circulatory diagnosis may not halt his momentum, but it adds a new dimension to the narrative of resilience his campaign often champions.
In an election season defined by intensity, this moment reminds voters that even the fiercest political figures carry quiet vulnerabilities—and that health, like politics, is rarely without complications.