A Vote for Real Change: Lifelong Democrat and One of New Jersey's Most Prominent and Well-Respected Black Business Owners, Jacob Walthour, Jr., Endorses Jack Ciattarelli for Governor of New Jersey

Attributes Deepening Economic Disparities to Democratic Control

Sites Decades-Long Cycle of Empty Promises and Failure to Address Educational Opportunity, Economic Opportunity and Poor Access to Health Care as Blatant Betrayal and Neglect

NEWARK, N.J., Sept. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacob Walthour, Jr., a lifelong democrat and one of New Jersey's most prominent and well-respected black business owners, today issued the following statement endorsing Jack Ciattarelli for Governor of New Jersey.

As a lifelong Democrat who has faithfully supported the party for decades, I never imagined I'd endorse a Republican. But this year, I am proudly endorsing Jack Ciattarelli for Governor of New Jersey.

It is time to end the abusive relationship that people of color in New Jersey have had with the New Jersey Democratic Party. In my 27 years living and working in this state, I have witnessed firsthand a pattern of promises that are repeatedly broken. The Democratic candidates have a history of saying "the right things" when elections approach only to forget about us once power is secured. The way communities of color have been treated in New Jersey is nothing short of betrayal and neglect. 

Now the Democratic party has hit an all-time low in New Jersey. They have no message for the people they have consistently let down and are using race baiting and fear mongering to secure votes from their disenfranchised party members. The party failed to back its most qualified candidate, Ras Baraka, the charismatic and unapologetically Black Mayor of Newark. In doing so, they sent a clear message about the voices they would like to silence and the person they want to sideline. 

In an apparent attempt to regain public trust, the party selected Dale Caldwell, a Black man with a deeply concerning track record on diversity and inclusion during his tenure as President of Centenary University. According to data from CollegeFactual.com, the university reports 0% Latino faculty and just 5% Black faculty—an alarmingly low representation for an institution committed to higher education. Even more troubling, the dropout rate for Black and Latino students at Centenary exceeds 50%, reflecting systemic failures in support and retention. Rather than signaling meaningful change, Mr. Caldwell's addition to the ticket appears to be a symbolic gesture that underestimates the intelligence of the very communities he's meant to appeal to.

In the current election, Democrats have offered no specifics. And, they have no explanations for the abundant failures that have occurred while the Governor, Lt Governor, Attorney General, Assembly Speaker and Senate President were all Democrats. The Murphy Administration approved one charter school in eight years. Minority businesses received 1% of state contracts. 

To win, Democrats need to take responsibility for their actions (or lack thereof), stop allowing political bosses to fix primaries and come up with meaningful solutions.  Their failure to take accountability and constantly blame Donald Trump is simply narcissistic. It's like crashing your car and then blaming the song that was on the radio. 

My entire life, I believed the Democratic Party stood for justice, equity, and progress—especially for marginalized communities like mine. We showed up for them in every election, believing the promises that better schools, safer neighborhoods, adequate health care, economic opportunities, and affordable housing were just around the corner. Yet year after year, we've been left hanging. Meanwhile, disparities in wealth, income, employment and home ownership just continue to widen to levels seen in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.

The truth is that marginalized communities — have become political talking points to New Jersey Democrats, not priorities. We deserve more than symbolism. We deserve real, measurable change.

Jack Ciattarelli may not be from my party, but he's offering what Democrats haven't: a clear plan, honest leadership, and a willingness to reach across the aisle to get things done. He's listening to voices in communities that have long been ignored. He's not making empty promises, he's offering solutions.

I'm still a Democrat. But I'm tired of politics, as usual. I'm tired of being taken for granted and I want an end to this cycle. I am confident that Jack Ciattarelli will bring much-needed change to New Jersey.

This November, I'm voting for someone who's ready to lead. I encourage fellow Democrats, independents, and anyone tired of the status quo to do the same.

Jacob Walthour, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer, Blueprint Capital Advisors

About Blueprint Capital Advisors LLC

Blueprint Capital Advisors LLC is an independent, privately held alternative investment firm focused sourcing and managing fund and direct investments in private credit, private equity and other alternative investment strategies. The firm is registered with Securities and Exchange Commission and advises on $1.7 billion of assets on a discretionary and non-discretionary basis. For more information, please visit: https://blueprintllc.com/

SOURCE Jacob Walthour, Jr.