NJ Republican Ciattarelli Threatens to Sue Sherrill Over Opioid Accusations Made During Debate
New Jersey Republican gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli plans to file a defamation lawsuit against Democrat Rep. Mikie Sherrill after she accused him during a live debate of contributing to the deaths of “tens of thousands” of residents amid the opioid crisis.
During Wednesday’s heated debate, Sherrill claimed Ciattarelli profited from misinformation about opioid safety and accused him of helping develop an app that allowed addicts to access more drugs.
“He made his millions by working with some of the worst offenders and saying that opioids were safe, putting out propaganda… while tens of thousands of New Jerseyans died,” Sherrill alleged on stage. “Then he was paid to develop an app so that people who are addicted could more easily get access to opioids.”
Ciattarelli called the accusations a desperate smear.
“Shame on you,” he fired back. “Everything she just said about my professional career… is a lie. I’m proud of my career.”
His campaign says legal action is coming.
“In a time where political violence and violent rhetoric are becoming all too prevalent, Mikie Sherrill baselessly and recklessly accusing a political opponent of mass murder in a televised debate crosses the line,” said campaign strategist Chris Russell in a statement. “A lawsuit will be filed early next week.”
The Sherrill campaign responded by doubling down.
“Jack’s reaction is to hide behind a lawsuit, not to take responsibility,” said spokesperson Sean Higgins. “What’s reckless and irresponsible is Jack Ciattarelli making millions of dollars profiting off the pain of New Jerseyans.”
Ciattarelli, a former state lawmaker and CPA, previously ran for governor in 2021, coming within a few points of defeating Democrat Gov. Phil Murphy. His medical publishing company, sold in 2017, was accused of promoting content that downplayed the risks of opioids. The 2021 campaign is when those ties were first publicly raised.
At a post-debate news conference, Ciattarelli dismissed the attack as a “desperate tactic by a desperate candidate.”
Sherrill, meanwhile, offered no direct evidence but told reporters, “There’s a lot we don’t know. I think he continues to not be very transparent.”
The high-stakes New Jersey governor’s race is drawing national attention as an early indicator of political momentum heading into next year’s congressional midterms. Historically, the party that wins the presidency tends to lose the New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial races the following year — a trend that now favors Republicans.
However, Democrats are hoping to make history. It’s been more than 60 years since any party won three consecutive gubernatorial elections in New Jersey. With Gov. Murphy term-limited, the outcome of this race could shift the political trajectory of the Garden State — and send a strong signal about voter sentiment ahead of 2026.