Sherrill, Ciattarelli have fiery exchange over opioid deaths, military records in final debate
A new line of attacks emerged in Wednesday night's New Jersey governor debate on Channel 7.
Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli shook hands at the debate but shortly after had a fiery exchange over opioid deaths and military records.
The testy exchange involved Ciattarelli's multi-million dollar company he sold in 2017, called Galan Publishing.
According to reports that surfaced during his 2021 campaign for governor, Ciattarelli's company produced education materials from large universities that received grants from major pharmaceutical companies.
The issue at hand is the publication featured articles downplaying opioid abuse.
Ciattarelli was not involved in writing the material, but his company played a role in publishing the information written by doctors and researchers.
On Thursday afternoon, Congresswoman Sherrill continued her line of attack.
"He had a publishing company where some of the big companies selling opioids were putting out information that opioids were safe and nonaddictive, as thousands of people were dying," Sherrill said.
Ciattarelli has always described himself as a successful businessman who, if elected governor, would work to expand business opportunities in the state.
He reiterated that during the debate and accused Congresswoman Sherrill of dirty politics during a post-debate news conference.
"With regard to everything she just said about my professional career which provided for my family, it's a lie, I'm proud of my career," Ciattarelli said.
Congresswoman Sherrill has also found herself on the defensive regarding her military records and her being denied the ability to walk during graduation.
Last night, Ciattarelli called the whole thing suspicious, saying there seems to be more to the story.
"I think something else went down there and that's why she was punished," Ciattarelli said.
"I would imagine that these campaigns are just going to get dirtier and it's probably going to get uglier in the next couple of weeks," Ashley Koning with Rutgers University said.
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