‘We Want To Have A Ban On Same-Sex Marriage,’ Jack Ciattarelli Aide Says

An aide to Republican Gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli has called for a ban on same-sex marriage at a recent endorsement rally.

The comments were made by Dr. Ibrar Nadeem, Ciattarelli's executive director for NJ Muslim relations, at a Muslims4Jack event in Piscataway on Saturday.

“We want to be in the rooms where decisions will be made,” Nadeem said. “We want to have a ban on same-sex marriage. I know my brother (Ciattarelli) voted against it, and he will do it again. We talk about family. A family comes into place when a man and woman get married, without the same-sex... We oppose same-sex marriage.”

Nadeem also made a comment on rumors that he was “taking money from Jews,” adding, “I check my bank account every day, brother, it is not there,” before handing the microphone off to Ciattarelli.

“Dr. Ibrar Nadeem, just once I wish you’d say exactly what’s on your mind,” Ciattarelli then joked, before asking the crowd to applaud Nadeem one more time.

Ciattarelli then expressed gratitude towards Nadeem, calling him “a very impressive man” who “hasn’t let me down one day.”

Ciattarelli has a history of voting against same-sex marriage and trans-related legislation as an assemblyman. Same-sex marriage was legalized in New Jersey in 2013, before being legalized nationwide two years later as a result of Obergefell v. Hodges.

Ciattarelli then attempted to clarify some of Nadeem’s comments in an X post towards his Democratic opponent Mikie Sherill, saying, “Do you ever get tired of lying @MikieSherrill? You know I support same sex marriage.”

Several democrats have spoken out against Nadeem’s comments and Ciattarelli's reaction to them, including Sherrill, who said, “A member of Jack’s ‘inner circle’ was caught on video speaking antisemitic and homophobic hate. Rather than condemn the language, Jack praised him. This kind of behavior has no place in New Jersey.”

“This is disgusting,” said NJ Democratic Committee spokesperson Ryan Radulovacki in response to Nadeem’s comments. “On a normal campaign this individual would be fired immediately and denounced by the candidate. But Jack took the stage AFTER him. And praised him.”

See Related: Ciattarelli Camp's ‘Homophobic, Antisemitic’ Remarks Slammed By Officials