New Jersey will elect a new governor later this year, and President Donald Trump just weighed in with his pick for who he'd like to see replace outgoing Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy in that role.

On Monday, Trump revealed his endorsement of "America First" Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli to be New Jersey's next governor, Breitbart reported.

Ciattarelli has run for the governor's office twice before in 2017 and 2021, and lost the most recent race to Murphy by just a couple of percentage points and less than 100,000 votes out of more than 2.5 million ballots cast.

Trump announces his endorsement

In a Monday evening Truth Social post, President Trump wrote, "Jack Ciattarelli is a terrific America First Candidate running to be the next Governor of a State that I love, NEW JERSEY!"

"Jack, who after getting to know and understand MAGA, has gone ALL IN, and is now 100% (PLUS!). He is strongly supported by the most Highly Respected Leaders in New Jersey and, as your next Governor, Jack Ciattarelli will work closely with me and the Trump Administration to advance our America First Agenda," he continued.

Of what Ciattarelli would do if elected, Trump listed, "Jack will fight tirelessly to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Restore our Economic Power, Help Secure our now VERY Secure (Record Setting!) Southern Border, Stop Migrant Crime, Murderers, and other Criminals from illegally entering our Country, Protect our Great Military/Vets, Advance American Energy DOMINANCE by helping to keep the price of Gasoline, Oil, and all forms of Energy VERY LOW (CHEAP!), and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment, which has not been attacked, amended, or changed while I was President."

"Also, Jack is the Republican Candidate who is best positioned to STAND TALL against the Radical Left Democrats and, most importantly, ensure a Big Victory in this Very Important Gubernatorial Election," Trump said, "an Election that is being closely watched by the entire World because, we are ending WOKE, and all of the other NONSENSE that goes along with it, AND NOBODY WANTS TO SEE IT COME BACK!"

The president added, "Jack Ciattarelli is a WINNER, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement -- HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, ELECT JACK CIATTARELLI!"

Endorsement accepted

As that endorsement from President Trump went viral on social media, Ciattarelli soon responded to the honor of being named as the president's pick to win New Jersey's 2025 gubernatorial race.

In an X post made less than 20 minutes later, Ciattarelli wrote, "Truly humbled and honored to receive President Trump’s very strong endorsement today."

"It’s time to unite our party, win big in November, and make New Jersey affordable and safe again. When I’m Governor, we will," he added.

Who else is running to be New Jersey's next governor?

According to the New Jersey Globe, there are a total of 11 candidates for governor who qualified to appear on the ballot in the state's upcoming primary election, with around nine of them being considered legitimate contenders to win their party's nomination.

On the Republican side, former nominee Ciattarelli will face off against local radio host Bill Spadea and State Sen. Jon Bramnick.

Meanwhile, Democrats have a crowded field of six competitive candidates that includes former Senate President Steve Sweeney, New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller, U.S. Reps. Mikie Sherrill and Josh Gottheimer, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.