ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ — Former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario M. Kranjac, dubbed “The Trumpy Mayor of Englewood Cliffs” by The Star-Ledger, has officially launched his 2025 gubernatorial campaign ad series titled Meet Mario, targeting disaffected Republican primary voters across New Jersey.
Key Points
- Mario Kranjac released a new web ad series titled Meet Mario to boost visibility ahead of the 2025 GOP primary.
- The first ad, “Medical Freedom,” focuses on his refusal to impose COVID lockdowns as mayor of Englewood Cliffs.
- Kranjac takes aim at Gov. Phil Murphy, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and his Republican primary opponents, Jack Ciattarelli and Bill Spadea.
Anti-lockdown message takes center stage
Meet Mario 🇺🇸
— Mario M. Kranjac (@MarioKranjac) April 6, 2025
MAGA Mayor Mario Kranjac stood up to Phil Murphy during his tyrannical Covid lockdowns.
He helped save his community then and now he will save New Jersey as your next Governor. pic.twitter.com/NUI16MCk0u
The first installment, “Medical Freedom,” features Kranjac defending his decision to keep Englewood Cliffs open during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kranjac criticizes government mandates and accuses state and federal officials of using the pandemic as a tool for “population control.”
“I did not lock down Englewood Cliffs,” Kranjac says in the ad. “Governor Murphy got very upset with me when I asked him: ‘You’re asking all our residents, all our citizens to be locked down, but meanwhile you and the Attorney General, Gurbir Grewal, are walking hand-in-hand at protests.’”
Contrasting himself with GOP rivals
In the video, Kranjac draws a sharp contrast between himself and his Republican primary opponents. “Jack made a spectacle of himself being vaccinated and Bill hid in his home,” Kranjac says. “I didn’t do any of that, I didn’t force the people of Englewood Cliffs to do that, and I’ll never force the people of New Jersey to do that.”
The video blends policy with personal narrative, emphasizing his leadership style during the pandemic and underscoring his opposition to mandates and lockdowns.
“Look, we never locked down Englewood Cliffs,” Kranjac says in the video. “We kept our parks open. People enjoyed the outdoors. We had no more, we had no less incidents of COVID.”
Criticism of federal pandemic response
Kranjac also criticized Dr. Anthony Fauci and U.S. pandemic policy, claiming public health decisions were based on fear and control rather than science. He accused officials of funding dangerous “dual-use technologies” and foreign labs with taxpayer dollars, referencing controversial theories about the origin of the COVID-19 virus.
“It was a virus. Unless you had a comorbidity or you were in a protected group of elderly people, there was no reason for this hyper-reaction other than crowd control, population control,” Kranjac says.
Branding himself as a proven conservative
The former mayor is leaning heavily on his image as a consistent, Trump-aligned conservative. He claims to be the only candidate in the race who has both defeated a Democratic political machine and governed “as a Trump conservative without wavering.”
Kranjac adds, “I’m the only candidate who’s capable and able to actually deliver on all their campaign promises… because I’ve already done it as mayor.”
Campaign targeting unsettled GOP base
With the Republican field still unsettled heading into the 2025 primary, Kranjac is positioning himself as the anti-establishment option. His campaign message aims to resonate with Republican voters skeptical of career politicians and pandemic-era restrictions.
“After years of campaigning and millions of dollars spent, it’s clear Republican voters don’t think Jack Ciattarelli or Bill Spadea are ready for prime time,” Kranjac said in a campaign statement.
Next ads in series expected soon
The Meet Mario series is expected to release additional installments in the coming weeks, each focusing on different aspects of Kranjac’s tenure, policies, and platform. While no firm schedule was released, campaign sources say future ads will cover issues like crime, education, and economic development.
Kranjac’s campaign has not disclosed specific ad spending figures, but the rollout indicates a concentrated digital strategy focused on social media platforms and targeted web traffic.
New Jersey’s 2025 Republican primary takes shape
Kranjac’s announcement adds another layer to a growing GOP primary field already marked by ideological divides. His direct appeal to pro-Trump voters and aggressive stance on COVID policies is likely to attract attention from the party’s right flank as the primary draws nearer.
The Meet Mario series marks a bold entry into the 2025 gubernatorial race from a candidate who is betting that an unapologetically conservative record and Trump-style messaging can break through in a competitive Republican field.