Jack Ciattarelli campaign says it plans to sue Mikie Sherrill over claims made during debate
NEW JERSEY (WABC) -- The Jack Ciattarelli campaign announced Thursday that it plans to sue Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill personally, because of claims she made during a fiery exchange in the middle of Wednesday night's gubernatorial debate.
One of the most contentious moments came when Sherrill, a four-term congresswoman elected during Trump's first midterm to a longtime GOP-held seat, accused Ciattarelli, running for governor for the third time, of profiting off the opioid crisis, leading to deaths.
"You're trying to divert from the fact you killed tens of thousands of people by printing your misinformation, your propaganda," she said during the debate.
Ciattarelli denied the accusation - "shame on you," he said, accusing his opponent of lying in an act of desperation - and responded by referencing the scandal surrounding Sherrill's military records, saying, at least "I got to walk at my college graduation."
A campaign strategist who works with the Ciattarelli campaign said the statement made by Sherrill was a "defamatory act" and "accusing a political opponent of mass murder in a televised debate crosses the line."
Ciattarelli's campaign said they expect the lawsuit to be formally filed early next week in court.
Sherrill's campaign responded to the threatened lawsuit by saying Ciattarelli was not taking responsibility for his actions.
"What's reckless and irresponsible is Jack Ciattarelli making millions of dollars profiting off the pain of New Jerseyans... As he was making millions, the Big Pharma companies made billions, and tens of thousands of New Jerseyans died. He is clearly unfit to lead and protect this state, and owes the people of New Jersey answers," Sherrill spokesperson Sean Higgins said in a statement.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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