Jack Ciattarelli’s Campaign Controversy: $77K Paid to Daughter Amid Nepotism Debate
Former New Jersey General Assembly member Jack Ciattarelli, known for his attempts to legislate against political nepotism, has come under scrutiny for compensating his daughter nearly $80,000 to manage digital operations for his campaign.
Ciattarelli, who held office from 2011 to 2018, emerged as the Republican gubernatorial nominee on June 11. His daughter, Alexa Ciattarelli, received $77,357.77 from May 2024 to June 2025 for her role as Senior Digital and Operations Director, as per the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission filings.
Back in 2014, Ciattarelli co-sponsored the Comprehensive Anti-Nepotism Act, aiming to prevent public officials from hiring relatives or granting them beneficial contracts. He renewed his support for the act in 2016, though it failed to pass in either instance. Notably, the proposed law did not address campaign-related employment.
Alexa Ciattarelli’s involvement in politics has previously faced criticism. During her father’s 2021 gubernatorial campaign, she was aligned with Go BIG Media Inc., a GOP consulting firm that later employed her. Her work for the American First Republicans of New Jersey—a group that received substantial funds from a Ciattarelli-linked super PAC—raised questions about campaign finance legality.
The $10,000 donation from Jack Ciattarelli’s PAC to the group, identified as the Montclair Republican County Committee, nearly accounted for half of its 2024 contributions. This situation was contentious since campaign finance laws prohibit PAC donations and coordination with county committees.
Although Ciattarelli’s PAC requested the donation’s return, it’s unclear if an investigation ensued. Attempts to obtain comments from the Ciattarelli campaign were unsuccessful.
The post Jack Ciattarelli paid daughter $77K despite backing nepotism ban appeared first on American Journal News.
—
Read More Kitchen Table News
