Ciattarelli campaign denies fraud but says recount possible

TRENTON, N.J. – New Jersey Republican Jack Ciattarelli’s run denied Monday that determination was fraud successful this year's governor's predetermination but his campaign's lawyer said the borderline could shrink capable to warrant a recount.

The connection from Ciattarelli's run comes aft the Associated Press declared Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy the victor past week. Murphy's pb has grown from little than a percent constituent past week to astir 2.6 points connected Monday, arsenic votes proceed to beryllium counted. The quality amounts to much than 65,000 votes.

“Let maine beryllium clear, nary 1 connected this squad is alleging fraud oregon malfeasance, arsenic we person not seen immoderate credible grounds of that," said Ciattarelli's ineligible counsel Mark Sheridan successful a statement.

But Sheridan added that this year's caller predetermination law, which successful portion allowed aboriginal in-person voting for the archetypal time, is besides contributing to what helium called “excruciatingly dilatory ballot counting.”

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The run estimates that determination are astir 70,000 provisional ballots — which lone number aft officials find that the elector has not already formed different ballot — near to count, on with an chartless fig of mail-in ballots.

“At this time, we bash not expect the provisional ballot number to extremity with Jack Ciattarelli successful the lead. However, that number whitethorn trim the borderline for Governor Murphy capable to warrant a afloat recount,” Sheridan said.

Each of New Jersey’s 21 counties are conducting their ain number of immoderate mail-in and provisional ballots near to beryllium counted. The authorities Board of Canvassers doesn’t conscionable until Dec. 2 to certify the results.

Ciattarelli is simply a erstwhile Assembly subordinate who campaigned connected a premix of accepted issues, similar lowering the state's precocious spot taxes, arsenic good arsenic against COVID-19 mandates.

Murphy became that archetypal Democrat to triumph reelection arsenic politician successful 44 years. He focused principally connected the progressive docket helium delivered successful his archetypal term, including higher taxes connected the affluent and a boosted minimum wage, among different programs.

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On Monday, Murphy called connected Ciattarelli to concede, saying the contention was tally reasonably and transparently. He said each ballot would beryllium counted.

“But erstwhile it’s mathematically intolerable to win, I deliberation it’s dangerous. I deliberation it’s bigger than winning oregon losing. It benignant of gets to the question of what it is to beryllium an American and respect for the institutions that we number connected arsenic a society, including democracy. This is what America is each about,” helium said.

Under authorities law, determination is nary automatic recount and the enactment seeking 1 indispensable record a suit successful authorities Superior Court successful each region wherever they privation to petition a recount.

Ciattarelli said past week that it was excessively aboriginal to concede the predetermination oregon state victory. He besides urged supporters not to judge unfounded conspiracies and said the effect — nary substance the result — would beryllium fair.

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Murphy's triumph was a agleam spot for Democrats nationally, though the enactment mislaid the Virginia governor's contention adjacent aft President Joe Biden carried the authorities by treble digits successful past year's predetermination against Donald Trump.

Despite Murphy's win, Republicans had an unexpected and important triumph successful the Legislature, defeating Senate President Steve Sweeney and stunning officials crossed the state.

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Associated Press writer Wayne Parry contributed to this report.

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