A lifelong Democrat, Garfield Mayor Everett E. Garnto, Jr., stunned New Jersey’s political scene by switching parties to endorse Republican Jack Ciattarelli for governor, as Breitbart reports.

On Thursday, at a packed Garfield rally, Garnto announced his bold departure from the Democratic Party, citing frustration with the state’s direction under Gov. Phil Murphy. This move by a respected local leader in a city of over 30,000, the fifth-largest in Bergen County, signals a crack in the Democrats’ once-iron grip. It’s a wake-up call for those cozy with the status quo.

Garnto, a retired police officer with 29 years of service and a former president of the local Police Benevolent Association, knows Garfield’s pulse.

Elected to the city council as a Democrat in November 2024 and later chosen as mayor, his roots run deep as a lifelong resident, school board member, and vice chair of the Garfield Housing Authority.

His defection isn’t just a headline -- it’s a calculated jab at a failing system.

Garfield rally ignites political shift

The rally, described as “standing room only” by Michael Casey, New Jersey state director for Early Vote Action, drew hundreds of Garfield residents. Casey called it a “major endorsement” for Ciattarelli in a city long considered a Democratic stronghold. That kind of turnout doesn’t lie -- people are fed up.

Garnto didn’t mince words, declaring, “The state is broken.” He’s not wrong -- New Jersey’s residents are grappling with crushing taxes and skyrocketing electric bills while communities feel less safe. Progressive policies have left wallets lighter and streets shakier, and Garnto’s had enough.

“Sky-high taxes, soaring electric bills, and less safe communities,” Garnto said, laying bare the fallout of Murphy’s agenda. His words resonate with anyone who has seen their utility bills climb or felt uneasy walking their neighborhood. It’s not just rhetoric; it’s reality for too many New Jerseyans.

Garnto’s bold bet

Garnto praised Ciattarelli as “the right leader at the right time.” That’s a bold claim, but it’s backed by a growing chorus of defectors, including Dover Mayor James Dodd and former Democrat assemblyman Jamel Holley, who also endorsed Ciattarelli. The Republican’s momentum is undeniable, and it’s shaking the establishment to its core.

Ciattarelli, no stranger to calling out Murphy’s missteps, said residents are “paying through the nose” for electricity under the governor’s energy policies. He’s tapping into a raw nerve -- New Jerseyans are tired of being nickel-and-dimed by out-of-touch elites. It’s the kind of plain talk that cuts through political noise.

Garfield’s political history adds context to Garnto’s switch. In 2021, Murphy barely squeaked by with a 150-vote margin in the city, but by 2024, Donald Trump carried it by nearly nine points. Garnto even admitted to voting for Trump, signaling a deeper realignment that’s bad news for Democrats clinging to old playbooks.

Broader support for Ciattarelli grows

Ciattarelli’s campaign is gaining steam, bolstered by endorsements from the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 and a “complete and total” nod from Trump himself. That’s not just a pat on the back -- it’s a political earthquake in a state where unions and moderates hold sway. Ciattarelli’s coalition is broadening, and it’s not just Republicans taking notice.

“People are upset all across the state with Phil Murphy’s failed policies,” Ciattarelli said, pointing to seven and a half years of missteps. He’s not just preaching to the choir -- his message is resonating with independents and even moderate Democrats. The governor’s office suddenly feels less secure.

Ciattarelli’s appeal crosses party lines, as he noted, “It’s not just Republicans who are crying out for change.” Unaffiliated voters and disillusioned Democrats are joining the call for a shake-up. When lifelong Democrats like Garnto jump ship, it’s clear the progressive experiment is running on fumes.

Democrats losing their grip

Garnto’s defection follows Dover Mayor James Dodd’s endorsement of Ciattarelli, with the Republican teasing yet another Democratic mayor’s support the following day.

“Over the weekend, I was endorsed by a Democratic mayor,” Ciattarelli said, hinting at a growing trend. The Democratic Party machine is sputtering, and its loyalists are starting to scatter.

Jamel Holley’s earlier backing of Ciattarelli this summer further underscores the shifting tide. When a former assemblyman and mayor like Holley abandons the Democrats, it’s not just a crack in the party -- it’s a chasm. New Jersey’s political landscape is fracturing, and Ciattarelli is capitalizing on it.

“New Jerseyans deserve better,” Garnto insisted, and it’s hard to argue with him. With taxes strangling families and energy costs soaring, voters are looking for leaders who prioritize results over ideology. Ciattarelli’s campaign is betting that message will carry him to the governor’s mansion, and Garnto’s endorsement just gave it a serious boost.