TRENTON, N.J. — Republican political strategist Ed Rollins has announced the formation of a new Political Action Committee (PAC) dedicated to supporting conservative talk radio host Bill Spadea’s campaign for governor of New Jersey in 2025.
Prior to teaming up with Spadea, Rollins, in 2021 launched a political strategy firm with former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, the ex-boyfriend of Vice President Kamala Harris.
Named “Rebuilding New Jersey PAC,” the initiative aims to provide financial backing and strategic support to Spadea as he prepares for what is expected to be a highly competitive race.
The move marks another chapter in Rollins’ half-century-long political career, during which he has played roles in presidential and gubernatorial campaigns.
His involvement in New Jersey’s race reflects his continued engagement in Republican politics despite past criticisms of the party’s direction under Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Rollins described Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as a “very flawed candidate” who struggled to resonate with voters beyond conservative culture war issues. “I don’t think it’s the campaign’s fault at all; it’s his … I think he’s been a very flawed candidate. I know some of the people around him, and some of them are good, talented people,” Rollins said. “But every time he opens his mouth, he has a tendency to — shall we say — think out loud, and he clearly doesn’t understand the game.”
Rollins also cast doubt on the viability of DeSantis’ 2024 presidential campaign, which struggled with stagnant poll numbers and financial challenges. He noted that DeSantis’ approach to cultural and social issues, while appealing to some Republican voters, failed to attract broader support. “When you get into these culture wars the way that he has, the vast majority of people don’t understand what they are,” Rollins added.
Rollins ultimately predicted that Trump would secure the GOP nomination for 2024, saying, “at this point in time, I would be shocked if Trump were not the nominee.”
However, he expressed skepticism about Trump’s chances in the general election, stating that he expected President Joe Biden to win reelection “unless something serious happens.”
While Rollins has been a respected figure in Republican politics for decades, some of his recent election predictions have been off the mark.
In 2023, he warned of a potential Republican collapse in the House of Representatives, suggesting that the party might lose its majority due to Trump’s influence. However, the anticipated Democratic resurgence failed to fully materialize, leaving the GOP in control of the chamber.
His involvement in DeSantis’ early presidential efforts further showcased his shifting loyalties.
As co-chair of the Ready for Ron PAC, Rollins was part of a movement urging DeSantis to enter the 2024 Republican primary.
However, after DeSantis officially launched his campaign, Rollins distanced himself and publicly criticized the Florida governor, citing his inability to effectively connect with voters.
Despite these miscalculations, Rollins remains an influential voice in Republican circles and has demonstrated a willingness to challenge party orthodoxy when he believes strategic adjustments are necessary.
Spadea, a former New Jersey talk radio host, has built a following through his outspoken conservative views and criticism of the Democratic leadership in New Jersey. As a candidate for governor in 2025, Spadea is positioning himself as a right-wing populist who can energize the GOP base and appeal to working-class voters, however, he struggling against Jack Ciattarelli in major polls.
“Rebuilding New Jersey PAC” will likely serve as a fundraising vehicle to boost Spadea’s visibility and provide resources for campaign operations, advertisements, and voter outreach. Given New Jersey’s Democratic-leaning electorate, Spadea will need strong financial backing and an effective ground game to compete against the eventual Democratic nominee.
Despite his deep ties to Republican politics, Rollins has occasionally worked with Democratic figures and moderate coalitions when political opportunities arose. Early in his career, he collaborated with Jesse Unruh, a powerful Democratic strategist in California, and was involved with Robert F. Kennedy’s 1968 presidential campaign before shifting firmly to the Republican Party.
He has also run foreign political campaigns, including in Pakistan, the Philippines, Brazil, Costa Rica and Columbia.
His willingness to criticize GOP leaders has sometimes put him at odds with Trump-aligned Republicans, particularly as he has expressed concerns about the party’s direction. Rollins’ critiques of Trump’s influence on the Republican Party have been frequent, and his recent remarks about DeSantis’ failings suggest a continued skepticism of the party’s current trajectory.
By throwing his support behind Spadea, Rollins appears to be aligning himself with a new wave of conservative candidates who emphasize grassroots activism and direct voter engagement over traditional Republican establishment politics.
New Jersey’s gubernatorial race in 2025 is expected to be closely watched, as Republicans seek to regain control of the governor’s office in a state that has been largely dominated by Democrats. Current Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, is term-limited, creating an open-seat race that could draw significant national attention.
While New Jersey has leaned Democratic in recent years, Republicans have found success in past governor’s races, most notably with Chris Christie, who won the office in 2009 and 2013.