Republican Jack Ciattarelli relied on President Donald Trump to win next month's Republican primaries in New Jersey, pledging support for the president and said in a debate on Tuesday that he would not challenge Trump's execution orders in court.

"I will continue to work with the President. Last week, we talked about making the country and New Jersey safe again. We do this by getting rid of the sanctuary cities and our sanctuary state."

"I told him that my attorney general would not sue the White House for executive orders. We would not waste taxpayers' dollars," Ciattarelli said.

"At the end of the day, if he was to expel all 14, 15, or 16 million, I support the president," Ciattarelli said. "He was elected to make the country safe again."

Ciattarelli continues to defend his support for providing driver's license to undocumented immigrants, saying: "If there are accidental people, he will not be deported, we have to know who they are."

Throughout the debate, Ciattarelli touted Trump's recognition on several occasions, facing face to face with Trump's staunch supporter and state Senator Jon Bramnick, a Trump critic's state Senator Jon Bramnick. Two other Republican candidates in the June 10 primary vote failed to meet the fundraising threshold to qualify for the debate, hosted by the New Jersey, the New Jersey Globe, the Riders University and Save Save Workey.

Ciattarelli, a former state legislator, barely lost in the 2021 election against Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, who has been leading the main areas in limited public opinion polls and campaign spending. Ciattarelli's campaign also launched a TV commercial on Tuesday highlighting Trump's recognition.

Spadea acknowledged in the debate that Trump chose to endorse CIATTARELLI, but he suggested Trump was shocked by skewed polls.

"The president endorsed a poll - a poll conducted and paid by Jack's campaign," Spadea said in his opening remarks. "The president has no acknowledgement plan. The president has no acknowledgement set of principles."

The candidate was asked how, as Trump allies, they would cut federal plans that could negatively impact New Jersey residents through Republican-led layoffs.

"The 2011 recession didn't affect our ability to do this and do it, but did we face this challenge? I believe we can handle it," Ciattarelli said. "But any governor's first job is provided for health and safety. It (means) caring for our most vulnerable people, whether it's people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Medicaid, we'll find a way."

Spadea pointed out that he disagreed with Trump on "multiple occasions".

"Difference is OK. You have to protect this state," Spadea said.

Bramnick promised “to fight for New Jersey, even if that means disagreeing with Washington Republicans. New Jersey has to be number one first; it’s simple.”

Ciattarelli became the most likely candidate to win in November. Four years ago, he lost to Murphy for three points and is expected to be competitive this year. A crowded Democrat competes in next month's primary to replace Murphy, who are unable to run for re-election due to term limits.