... and Its Impact on New Jersey Gubernatorial Race

Three questions no one can answer. What is the science behind a potential blackhole? What is zero divided by zero, and why is Nikki Haley still in the race? Scientists attempted answers to the first two, but the third one’s still a puzzle which carries with it a frisson of political consternation.

At the outset, the state-after-state, continuing, losing streak of Presidential candidate Nikki Haley might look politically independent from the crowded (or soon to be) Republican NJ gubernatorial race of 2025. But a closer look at the gubernatorial candidates’ stand on their choice of Presidential candidates would establish a dotted line between the two races. With every losing state and their widening margins, it is a given that Ms. Nikki Haley is losing face. This is regardless of Trump’s pending court cases and impending state ballot cases.

In democracy, every capable and qualified political candidate has a right to lose until they can lose no more and Ms. Haley is no exception. However, Ms. Haley’s audacious nonchalance is shocking political punditry. The only saving grace in her continuous streak of defeats is her pause to her victory speech of making it to number 2, although it can be argued that “victory speech” and “number 2” sound politically oxymoronic. It is possible her campaign might be suggesting placing a Presidential backorder in preparation for 2028. However, what Ms Haley fails to realize is a potential strong competitor in the form of Vivek Ramaswamy who threw fresh water on her future aspirations of a presidential candidacy, if Vivek runs, that is. Would Mr. Ramaswamy ever contemplate running for the top post again? May be or maybe not, but if he does, she might make herself eligible for the same cognitive test she has been suggesting for her opponents, given she is 14 years older than Mr. Ramaswamy. Also, a crowded VP race with much more capable resumes is no solace to Ms. Haley. 

Now what has all of this to do with Drumthwacket, which is far away from White House, both in distance and elections, one may ask. It is to do with the impact of Ms Haley’s loss on Jack Ciattarelli, who announced his run on the same day he conceded to Phil Murphy. Mr. Ciattarelli’s disavowed support for Mr.Trump and his tacit support for Ms Haley might prove abortive. Should Mr. Trump win the candidacy, Mr. Ciattarelli could bid goodbye to his Trump vote base, thanks to his already flagging conservative GOP vote base. Although not as cardinal for a blue state like NJ, support of Presidential candidates cannot be dismissed as trivial for gubernatorial candidates, especially for an inveterate non-Trump supporter Mr. Jack Ciattarelli. 

Writing on the wall is clear, but let’s wait until March 5. If Trump wins, there would be one winner, should he lose, there would be two losers. 

Stay tuned for upcoming articles on Democratic primary.