whoever wins the race to succeed Governor Murphy in this year's gubanatorial election will have to master the art of working with the president which may not be too difficult a task for GOP candidate Jack Chidarelli The former state assemblyman has ramped up allegiance to the Trump administration which analysts predict will help him during the primary but may come back to haunt him during the general election We're continuing our series tonight looking at each candidate and their priorities more closely Senior political correspondent David Cruz has a deep dive on the Chidarelli campaign As a Republican in blue Jersey former Assemblyman Jack Chidarelli has a fine line to walk Last time out he lost to Phil Murphy by single digits He's seen as the front runner in this race but all that could change if the president who overperformed in New Jersey last November were to endorse someone else So more so than ever Chidarelli has been cozying up to the president this primary season despite his less than fullthroatated Trump support in the past David I supported the president back in 2020 supported him again in 2024 was re with him recently and thanked him greatly for two promises uh made promises kept He's put a temporary halt on the wind farms off the Jersey Shore and he's been beating up on New York Democrats over congestion pricing So I support the president and all that he's doing to keep America and in partnership with me as governor New Jersey safe Like that old cigarette ad used to say you've come a long way baby But not so says Chidarelli's campaign manager Eric Arpert Sometimes he says things just change Jack and the president had a great meeting in Bedminster You've seen the reports and pictures from that Jack sat with the president and Jack's committed to working with the president as governor particularly when it comes to ending our sanctuary state policies I'm optimistic and hopeful that we will get the endorsement uh from the president and I feel confident that this president's record of securing the border and making New Jersey safer is something that we will be talking about through the general But really the issues here are in New Jersey There is equal speculation that Trump will not make an endorsement And with both Chidarelli and his main rival to the right radio personality Bill Spadia mostly the same philosophically it's Chidurelli who may have the difference maker going for him the machine Pass on the Democratic side but in Republican circles the machine except for the party line is still the machine Chidarelli has invested in that system and they almost all like Jack What Democrats are missing and Republicans aren't necessarily missing is that there's a whole host of benefits that come with being the organization candidate And so um while it's been a you know while it's been a criticism we when it is a criticism we miss that having the support of the people who know how to win in your county in that particular county is a big benefit It certainly seems to help Chidarelli so far And we know that in these low turnout low engagement elections like a primary that it's really those who are organized those who are most interested and engaged much like those within the political machine who actually turn out to vote So at least for Chidarelli that could be a very smart move In his third run for governor Chidarelli has shown that he is not the same candidate he was eight years ago or four years ago With a little lean to the right and some sharpening of his message overall he's hoping for some third times the charm Unless three strikes and you're out I'm David Cruz NJ Spotlight News