Donald Trump Calls on New Jersey and Virginia to Elect GOP Governors Jack Ciattarelli and Winsome Sears — Promises “Drastic Drop” in Energy Prices if Republicans Win
In a powerful late-October message that electrified his base, former President Donald Trump issued a direct appeal to voters in New Jersey and Virginia ahead of the November 4 elections, urging them to vote Republican to “cut energy costs in half.” In his trademark rallying tone, Trump warned that staying home on Election Day was “the same as voting for a Democrat,” calling on supporters to show up and deliver what he described as a vote for lower energy prices, stronger borders, and a revitalized American economy.
The post, shared on Trump’s Truth Social and reposted across major conservative platforms, endorsed Jack Ciattarelli in New Jersey’s gubernatorial race and Winsome Earle-Sears in Virginia’s. “A Republican vote means a drastic drop in energy prices and energy costs — a drop like you’ve never seen before,” Trump declared. “A Democrat vote means a doubling, and even tripling, of your energy bills and prices.” The former president framed the contests as a defining moment for working families facing soaring utility bills, arguing that the Democratic push toward green energy mandates has “made energy virtually unaffordable.”
Energy costs have indeed surged in recent years, with the U.S. Energy Information Administration reporting a 12% increase in average monthly household bills between 2021 and 2024. Trump’s message taps into growing frustration over fuel and utility expenses, a key issue for suburban and rural voters. He contrasted Republican-led energy policies — favoring domestic production, deregulation, and pipeline expansion — with what he called the Democrats’ “crippling energy agenda.” “If you vote Republican, your energy costs are going down tremendously,” Trump said. “If you vote Democrat, they’re going through the roof.”
His endorsement came as both races tighten in the final stretch. A Fairleigh Dickinson University poll released this week shows Democrat Mikie Sherrill holding a 10-point lead over Ciattarelli, though analysts note that polling in New Jersey has historically underestimated Republican turnout. In Virginia, a New York Times average places Democrat Abigail Spanberger slightly ahead of Earle-Sears, setting up a competitive showdown that could reflect broader national trends ahead of 2026.
Trump’s call to action also served as a broader message to the Republican electorate: mobilize or risk losing hard-fought momentum. “If you don’t go to the polls and vote, it’s the same thing as voting for a Democrat,” he reminded his supporters. The statement echoes his 2024 campaign rhetoric, which centered on restoring energy independence and reversing inflationary policies that he says stemmed from President Biden’s administration.
Political observers note that Trump’s strategic timing — just days before the elections — underscores his continued influence in down-ballot races. Both Ciattarelli and Earle-Sears have publicly aligned with Trump’s economic message, pledging to repeal state-level green energy regulations and support domestic energy initiatives that prioritize affordability over environmental restrictions.
For voters facing record-high heating and electric bills, Trump’s words strike a deeply personal chord. “Go to the polls and cut your energy costs in half,” he urged. The promise was clear, the tone unmistakably urgent — a call not just to vote, but to reclaim what he framed as a fight for economic survival.
