Ciattarelli Cleared to Sue as Race Tightens

The New Jersey Election Law Commission unanimously cleared Republican Jack Ciattarelli to file a defamation suit against Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill over her Oct. 8 debate accusation that his former company promoted “opioid propaganda” and caused “tens of thousands” of deaths, ruling he may use personal funds without violating campaign-finance limits and his campaign said he would move forward immediately. The dispute centers on Galen Publishing, which Ciattarelli founded and sold in 2017 for about $12 million; critics say its continuing-education materials downplayed opioid risks, and Sherrill has doubled down, launching a website labeling him “Opioid Jack,” while her campaign says a lawsuit would open discovery into his business practices. Campaign dynamics have continued to shift: former President Barack Obama headlined a Nov. 1 get-out-the-vote rally in Newark for Sherrill, praising her background and criticizing Ciattarelli, who has President Trump’s endorsement. An AtlasIntel poll of roughly 1,600 likely voters Oct. 25–30 showed the contest essentially tied (Sherrill 50.2%, Ciattarelli 49.3%), and both campaigns have been active amid nearly one million early ballots cast and massive outside spending. The legal fight adds a high-profile, contentious element to a close, closely watched race viewed as a potential bellwether just days before Election Day.