In a spirited appeal to his supporters in New Jersey, former President Donald Trump on Friday night encouraged voters to back Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli. This rallying cry came just ahead of the state’s early voting period, which commenced the following Saturday.

While Trump has not set specific plans, he expressed his intention to campaign alongside Ciattarelli once he returns from an upcoming trip to Asia. This potential support underscores the significance Trump places on the gubernatorial race.

During his remarks, Trump emphasized Ciattarelli’s commitment to addressing energy costs, a theme he had amplified earlier in the week through a post on Truth Social. “He knows energy better than anybody I know outside of the energy business,” Trump asserted, highlighting Ciattarelli’s expertise and suggesting that it would be pivotal in managing the state’s cost of living concerns.

Trump also reminisced about his own connections to New Jersey, mentioning his ownership of a golf club there and the frequent summer weekends he spends in the state. This personal touch was likely intended to strengthen his appeal to local voters.

In a brief, 10-minute telephone rally, Trump sought to energize the Republican base in an effort to unseat Democrat Mikie Sherrill and secure a GOP victory in the upcoming election. He urged those with mail ballots to submit them promptly, although he simultaneously reiterated his skepticism about mail-in voting, questioning the election process’s integrity.

Trump urged voters with mail ballots to send them in, then returned to his longstanding criticism of mail ballots and cast doubt on the integrity of the election.

“Sometimes I think you’re better off in person, but you do it the way you want to do it,” Trump said. “You got to make sure the votes are counted, because New Jersey has a little bit of a rough reputation, I must be honest.”

Trump had previously endorsed Ciattarelli, who has embraced the support of the Republican president and given him an “A” grade for his performance in the White House, but has not campaigned alongside him. Ciattarelli said the president’s team has offered “anything that you think can help the campaign.”

New Jersey and Virginia are the only two states holding gubernatorial contests on Nov. 4 and are seen as bellwethers for the current administration and a way to test the opposition’s strengths and weaknesses ahead of the midterms.

Former President Barack Obama will appear on Nov. 1 with Sherrill and Democrat Abigail Spanberger, who is running for governor of Virginia. Trump has not announced plans to campaign with Winsome Earle-Sears, the Republican nominee in Virginia.

Recent polling suggests Sherrill, a four-term member of Congress, former Navy pilot and one-time prosecutor, holds a slight lead.