On Wednesday, Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill from New Jersey and Republican candidate Jack Ciatarelli had a tense exchange during their second and final gubernatorial debate. This happened as Sherrill tried to connect Ciatarelli to the rising number of opioid-related deaths in the state.
With just under 30 days to go until the gubernatorial election, the two candidates took the stage. In a brief 30-second statement, Sherrill claimed that a medical publisher associated with Ciatarelli contributed to making opioids more readily available to those struggling with addiction.
“My opponent likes to present himself as a businessman, but what New Jersey might not know is how he profited by working with people who spread false information, claiming opioids were safe while thousands of lives were lost in New Jersey,” Sherrill stated.
She added, “Moreover, he was compensated for developing an app that facilitated access to opioids for addicts. So while he was raking in millions, so were those opioid companies, and many New Jerseyans suffered as a result.”
During his 2021 run for governor, Ciatarelli faced accusations that his company released training materials that misrepresented pharmaceutical industry viewpoints on opioids.
One of his publishing ventures, Galen Publishing, which he co-founded, focused on pain management content. Critics noted that he tended to downplay the dangers associated with opioid use.
When confronted by Sherrill’s comments, Ciatarelli reacted sharply: “First, shame on you.” As he directed his attention towards Sherrill, she interrupted, repeating, “Shame on you.”
Ciatarelli retaliated, saying, “Shame on you.” He pointed out that under the Biden administration, Sherrill did not seem concerned about the influx of individuals at the border, which he suggested contributed to the fentanyl crisis affecting local communities. “Ask your local law enforcement. Talk to your county prosecutor,” he urged.
He remarked, “Since the border has tightened, the fentanyl issue has improved a lot. For everything she just said about my professional past, she supported open border policies, and that’s a falsehood. I take pride in my career.”
Sherrill indicated that she was open to sharing the information backing her statements, to which Ciatarelli responded, “I guess so.” She further emphasized that she believes New Jersey’s youth “deserve better care,” asserting that those suffering from addiction deserve to be treated with greater respect than what she perceived from him.
Ciatarelli sold Galen Publishing back in 2017.
Afterward, Sherrill faced questions regarding her claims and whether there was concrete evidence linking materials from Ciatarelli’s former company to the opioid epidemic or the fatalities reported in New Jersey.
The competition between Ciatarelli and Sherrill is intensifying, evidenced by Sherrill’s once-comfortable lead diminishing. A September Emerson College poll indicated both candidates had 43% support among voters, with 11% still undecided.
