Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli pledged his support for Columbus Day and Italian American traditions during remarks at the annual Paisan Convention, held over the weekend in Rutherford. The event, known informally as "PaisanCon," drew hundreds of Italian Americans from across New Jersey to celebrate cultural heritage with food, music, and speeches from community leaders.

Ciattarelli, whose grandparents emigrated from Italy more than 100 years ago, used the event to reaffirm hie tine to then Italian American community and rally support. "New Jersey is home to over a million proud Italian Americans including my grandparents," Ciattarelli wrote in a post shared after the event. "When I'm Governor, one thing is certain Columbus Day will always be celebrated in the Garden State."