Recording captures Jack Ciattarelli saying he’s open to 10% sales tax in New Jersey

Republican gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli is facing criticism after saying he’s open to a 10% sales tax in New Jersey, including on food and clothing, according to audio captured during a campaign rally in Bergen County.

“I just came back from Tennessee not too long ago,” Ciattarelli said during the June 4 rally, according to audio provided to the New Jersey Independent by American Bridge 21st Century, a liberal super political action committee. “We were on a fundraising trip there, and Tennessee has no income tax. What Tennessee has is a 10% sales tax on everything, including food and clothing.

“The philosophy has always been in this state [that] we have like a 7% sales tax just to round off the numbers, but there’s no sales tax on necessities of life, food and clothing,” he continued. “I will work with the New Jersey State Society of CPAs. We’re going to look at what other states do. And every option is on the table.”

The Ciattarelli campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

New Jersey currently assesses a 6.625% sales tax on “most tangible personal property, specified digital products and certain services unless specifically exempt under New Jersey law,” the state Division of Taxation’s website notes. Most grocery store food items and clothing are exempt from the sales tax.

A portion of Ciattarelli’s comments regarding the 10% sales tax are featured in a new ad launched on Sept. 3 by the Greater Garden State, a super PAC backed by the Democratic Governors’ Association. The campaign website of U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, the Democratic nominee for governor, also published a transcript of statements from Ciattarelli’s June 4 event.

“Ciattarelli supported Trump’s Medicaid cuts, targeting 300,000 in Jersey,” the Greater Garden State ad’s narrator says. “And now, he’s talking about a 10% sales tax.”

Ciattarelli supported the One Big Beautiful Bill Act which all but five congressional Republicans passed this summer and which was signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4. The law slashes funding for Medicaid, the nationwide public health insurance program for individuals with low income, which state officials said could result in 300,000 New Jersey residents losing health care coverage.

The Republican candidate’s sales tax comments come as New Jersey residents report struggling with increased costs. According to a poll released by Rutgers University and the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey in May, more than half of New Jersey residents say housing is not affordable.

“New Jerseyans are being squeezed by rising rents, mortgages, utility and grocery costs,” Staci Berger, president and chief executive officer of the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey, said in a press release announcing the poll results. “The demand for affordable homes is at an all-time high but the supply can’t keep up without public investment.”

About 39% of New Jersey households were finding it difficult to make ends meet in 2023, according to the most recent data from the United Way of Northern New Jersey. A representative of the group told the New Jersey Independent in August that she expects the percentage of households struggling to afford day-to-day costs to increase. 

New Jersey residents are also facing rising costs as Trump’s tariffs on imported goods go into effect. Educators recently told the New Jersey Independent that the costs of classroom supplies are rising; grocery costs are expected to rise due to tariffs; and electricity costs are up in part because of federal cuts to green energy programs.

New Jersey’s gubernatorial election will be held Nov. 4. Voters will be able to cast early in-person ballots from Saturday, Oct. 25 through Sunday, Nov. 2. Mail-in ballots are also available.